Day: April 26, 2025

[category science-report]

Crew 314 – Closing the Airlock: Lessons Learned from Life on the Red Planet

Over the course of two weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station, our crew carried out a wide range of scientific experiments, technical tasks, and field explorations — all within the framework of a simulated Martian mission. From daily EVAs and lab work to emergency drills and group living, each activity helped us better understand the challenges and possibilities of life on Mars.

Through teamwork, adaptability, and shared curiosity, we made progress across diverse fields including medical science, sleep and stress physiology, microbiology, astronomy and soil science. As we prepare to close the airlock for the last time, we leave with new insights, stronger connections, and a lasting sense of what it might mean to live and work on another world.

Experiments:

This section outlines the progress and the final conclusion of the research projects conducted by the crew during our mission.

Odile Hilgers (Health and Safety Officer):

As Health and Safety Officer for this analog Martian mission, I led a complete series of six medical simulations designed to assess Crisis Resource Management (CRM), known as non-technical skills in an isolated and confined environment. These simulations were inspired by realistic emergency scenarios and adapted to the operational constraints of life on Mars.

The training program was carefully structured to increase in complexity and immersion over time. The first two scenarios served as introductory exercises, focusing on familiarizing the crew with medical protocols and simulation dynamics. The following two represented Earth-based emergencies and required a higher level of coordination and critical thinking. The final two simulations introduced Martian-specific constraints, including operational stressors such as limited visibility, environmental alarms, and nighttime execution under sleep-deprived conditions.

These last two Martian scenarios were conducted under particularly challenging circumstances: one at the very end of the night, and the other at the very beginning, both involving full crew wake-up calls, alarm sounds (moderately loud), and operations without electrical lighting—crew members relied solely on their headlamps. These conditions were designed to simulate the kind of fatigue and sensory overload astronauts may face during long-duration missions.

Each simulation followed a structured three-phase format:

Briefing – Participants received clinical background on the scenario, including the patient’s medical history and the narrative of the current illness.

Simulation – Conducted with three role-players and three observers, adapting to realistic crew roles and responsibilities.

Debriefing – A 30 to 45-minute team discussion centered on Crisis Resource Management (CRM) principles. All participants also completed the Ottawa Global Rating Scale (Ottawa GRS) to assess team performance in a structured, reflective manner.

Simulations were held in multiple locations within the station, including both levels of the Hab, the Science Dome and the GreenHab. All six scenarios were successfully completed without incident, and the crew demonstrated adaptability, communication, and coordination throughout the program.

Data collection is now complete. A post-mission analysis will be conducted to examine behavioral patterns, decision-making processes, and overall team dynamics under pressure. This evaluation aims to contribute to the broader understanding of medical team performance in analog space missions and inform the design of future training protocols for long-duration spaceflight.

Bérengère Bastogne (GreenHab Officer):

The experiments conducted at the Mars Desert Research Station are part of my doctoral thesis. The main objective is to evaluate the impact of Martian environmental stresses – UV radiation (A, B and C), temperature (hot-cold cycles), gravity and substrate (regolith) – on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). These fungi are obligate symbionts that associate with plant roots and can supply them up to 80% of total phosphorus and nitrogen. As one of the most important mutualistic microorganisms for global food production, AMF are essential elements to be considered for the development of future colonies on Mars.

Understanding how AMF responds to environmental conditions is critical. Since they are closely associated with plants, any parameter affecting spores could impact essential AMF functions and indirectly impact plant growth and plant health. However, despite their crucial role, little is known about how these environmental stresses affect these microorganisms. Therefore, expanding our knowledge in this area is crucial.

My research is divided into two experiments. The first aims to study the effects of these stresses on spore germination. The second focuses on the ability of spores, after exposure to stresses, to associate with plant roots.

The initial step involved estimating the number of spores in 10 g soil (to prepare for the first and second experiments). I then exposed the soil – containing spores – in Petri dishes or Falcon tubes to different conditions for 48h. For the germination study, approximately 10 g of soil (containing 30-40 spores) was used per condition. For the root association study, I used 10 g per condition, with six replicates.

To test the substrate stress, I isolated spores from 6x10g of soil and transferred them into regolith. The environmental conditions were applied as follows:

Temperature: Petri dishes were placed outside (near the entrance of the ScienceDome)

Gravity: Falcon tubes were attached to the Random Positioning Machine (RPM) – placed in the ScienceDome at room temperature

UV: Petri dishes were placed under a UV lamp in the ScienceDome at room temperature

Substrate: Spores were placed in Petri dishes filled with regolith, kept in the ScienceDome at room temperature

Control: Petri dishes were placed in the ScienceDome at room temperature without any added stress

After 48h, for the germination study, I isolated spores from the soil samples exposed to the different conditions. Then, to prevent contamination in subsequent steps, I disinfected the spores using various solutions. Once disinfected, I placed four spores on each membrane, which was then folded in half twice. The membranes were then buried in a moistened soil mix within Petri dishes and incubated in the ScienceDome at room temperature.

For the second experiment, I mixed the stressed soils (post-48h exposure) with a soil mix in small pots. After moistening, I transplanted ten plantain seedlings (germinated in the greenhouse approximately one week earlier) into each pot. All pots were labeled and placed in the ScienceDome at room temperature.

On Wednesday 16 April, I assessed spore germination and viability by transferring each membrane to a separate Petri dish and adding a drop of methyl thiazolyl diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) to each spore. Since MTT is photosensitive, I covered the Petri dishes with aluminium foil and kept them in the ScienceDome at room temperature. After 24h (Thursday 17 April), I observed the germination and viability of each spore under microscope.

On Thursday and Friday, 17 and 18 April, I evaluated the association between AMF spores and plant roots. All plantain seedlings were harvested and stained using a series of treatments (bleach, vinegar, and ink) at 70°C (oven). After staining, I observed each seeding root under a microscope to determine whether there was any point of contact between the AMF and the roots.

During the EVAs, I collected soil samples to identify the AMF species present in the Utah desert soil, depending on their characteristics. I observed the presence of mycelium and spores in some soils.

I placed the soil samples in Petri dishes and inoculated them with spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The dishes were kept at room temperature for 48h. After this, I collected the spores, transferred them onto a membrane and added a drop of MTT solution. After 24h, I examined each spore under a microscope to assess its viability.

In addition, I subjected soil samples collected during the EVAs to different stress conditions (temperature, UV, gravity and control). Once back in Belgium, I will analyze the viability of the spores from these soils following the stress treatments.

Batoul Tani (Crew Journalist):

As part of the microbiological experiments conducted during the MDRS (Mars Desert Research Station) mission, I investigated the resistance of two bacterial species, Escherichia coli and Bacillus thuringiensis, to various environmental stressors simulating Martian surface conditions. These stressors included UV-C radiation, temperature fluctuations, and the potential protective effect of native soil samples.

During the initial phase of the mission, I focused on preparing culture media, including LB broth and agar plates in Petri dishes, to ensure sterile and consistent growth conditions for the duration of the experiments.

For Escherichia coli, I conducted two main exposure experiments. The first involved an 8-hour exposure to UV-C light to assess the bacterium’s tolerance to high doses of ultraviolet radiation. The second experiment consisted of a 48-hour outdoor exposure, subjecting the cultures to natural day-night cycles and ambient temperature variations—conditions designed to mimic thermal changes on the Martian surface. In the coming days, I plan to monitor the potential development of biofilm structures under these stress conditions, as biofilm formation can serve as a protective survival mechanism in extreme environments. Optical density measurements will be carried out in Belgium to quantify the differences between the experimental groups.

For Bacillus thuringiensis, I applied a similar 8-hour UV-C exposure protocol, introducing an additional variable: the presence or absence of soil collected from the Cowboy Corner site. This allowed for the exploration of a potential shielding effect provided by the local soil against UV radiation. The samples were also exposed to either stable or cyclic temperature conditions to investigate the interaction between thermal stress, UV exposure, and soil protection.

I analyzed the differences in colony-forming unit (CFU) counts across the various conditions, and some significant trends have begun to emerge. However, I would have liked to examine whether the bacteria underwent sporulation, as this is a key survival strategy for Bacillus thuringiensis. Unfortunately, the microscope available on site was not of sufficient quality to allow for such observations.

These experiments aim to contribute to our understanding of microbial resilience in Martian analog environments, with implications for planetary protection protocols and the development of microbial-based life support systems for future space missions.

Louis Baltus (Crew Astronomer):

The first experiment I conducted during the MDRS simulation aimed at developing a solar weather monitoring system through the use of the Musk Observatory. The objective was to establish a protocol for solar imaging and data collection that could eventually support forecasting tools to protect future astronauts from solar radiation exposure on Mars.

The early stages of the mission were hindered by a delay in my personal training on the telescope’s operations. As a result, I lost valuable observation days during the first part of the rotation. Despite this initial setback, I successfully conducted my first imaging session mid-mission, and continued making observations whenever weather conditions permitted.

Unfortunately, after Sol 6, the weather became increasingly uncooperative. Strong winds and dense cloud cover significantly reduced available observation windows. I nonetheless maintained efforts to operate the telescope during every favorable interval. By the end of the simulation, I had accumulated a modest but valuable collection of solar images.

Once I return to Belgium, I will carry out a detailed post-processing and analysis phase. The goal will be to assess whether the quantity and quality of the captured data are sufficient to move forward with the development of a basic solar weather monitoring prototype.

Regardless of the limited observation time, this experience has been extremely rewarding on a personal and scientific level. Learning to operate a solar observatory and observing the Sun with my own eyes has been a profound and unforgettable discovery. I remain deeply grateful to all those who made this opportunity possible.

The second experiment, supervised by a professor from UCLouvain, investigated gesture-based astronaut-computer interaction (ACI) — a field with very limited prior research. The aim was to evaluate the cognitive and physical feasibility of using wearable gesture-recognition devices in analog Martian conditions. The two systems tested were the TapStrap and the TapXR.

The experimental protocol was composed of four distinct measurement sessions:

A baseline session, conducted pre-mission under standard terrestrial conditions.

A first in-mission session on Sol 4, performed with the participant in regular indoor clothing.

A second in-mission session on Sol 8, carried out under extravehicular activity (EVA) conditions, with the participant wearing a full one-piece astronaut suit.

A final post-mission session, scheduled to take place in Belgium, which will complete the full dataset.

The Sol 8 session provided particularly valuable data, as it tested gesture input performance under conditions of reduced dexterity and tactile feedback. Despite the additional constraints imposed by the EVA suit, the session was executed smoothly, and all required data was successfully collected.

As the experimenter, I oversaw each session, guided the participant through the sequence of 16 predefined gestures, and systematically recorded performance metrics including memorization accuracy, recognition rate, and execution time. This structured approach will allow for a comprehensive comparison across different environmental and ergonomic conditions.

Upon completion of the final post-mission session, I will work in collaboration with my supervising professor to conduct a full analysis of the results. The aim is to draw conclusions regarding the viability and limitations of gesture-based interfaces in space mission scenarios.

This research offers promising perspectives for the development of alternative control systems for future planetary missions—especially in environments where traditional input methods are limited or impractical.

Antoine Dubois (Crew Engineer):

As part of my mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), I conducted an experiment aimed at better understanding wind-driven erosion dynamics in an arid environment analogous to Mars. The goal was to assess erosion caused by wind and draw lessons to help protect infrastructure under extreme Martian conditions, where the thin atmosphere and harsh climate suggest a slow but persistent erosion process.

In the field, I installed three dust collectors at different heights (10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm) to observe variations in particle size distribution depending on transport height. This aimed to determine whether specific grain sizes are more likely to be transported at certain altitudes, which could inform the design and durability of Martian structures.

I also deployed a data logger connected to three sensors placed under each collector to measure soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity, helping to understand how soil conditions influence sediment mobility.

Initially, all devices worked correctly, and the first samples were collected shortly after mid-mission. However, due to poor weather and difficult terrain access, the equipment was retrieved on SOL 11 instead of SOL 12 as planned.

A technical issue occurred: although the sensors operated correctly, a configuration error in the data logger prevented environmental data from being recorded, limiting direct analysis of on-site measurements.

Despite this, I retrieved complementary environmental data from the station’s iMac, including wind speed and direction, ambient humidity, and rainfall events — all valuable for interpreting the experiment’s results.

The collected dust samples were sieved using three mesh sizes (2 mm, 500 µm, and 250 µm) and weighed on site. Detailed particle size analyses will be performed after returning to Earth (Belgium) to produce precise granulometric profiles.

Despite the challenges, the experiment yielded usable samples and coherent environmental data for interpretation. This contributes to a better understanding of aeolian transport in deserts and may support the design of infrastructure suited to Martian conditions.

Béatrice Hollander and Arnaud de Wergifosse (Crew Commander and Crew Executive Officer):

As part of an investigation into human resilience in isolated and confined environments, this study evaluated the effects of a dietary supplement combining Lactobacillus helveticus and glycine, compared to a placebo, on stress regulation and sleep during a two-week analog mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). Crew members were monitored nightly using wearable devices (Oura rings®) that tracked physiological indicators such as heart rate, heart rate variability, total sleep time, and sleep stages. Self-reported stress, sleep satisfaction, and daytime sleepiness were also assessed through validated questionnaires.

All participants practiced daily cardiac coherence breathing, a controlled technique designed to promote autonomic regulation. While no significant differences were found between the supplement and placebo groups, some participants reported consistently positive effects from cardiac coherence, including reduced stress and improved emotional regulation.

Interestingly, sleep became more fragmented during the second week, coinciding with nighttime emergency simulations. Despite these disturbances, perceived stress levels paradoxically declined, possibly reflecting psychological adaptation to the mission environment or due to the breathing technique. Furthermore, some participants also exhibited clinically relevant daytime sleepiness.

Although the supplementation showed no clear effect over the short term, the breathing practice proved to be a well-received and low-effort countermeasure. Full statistical analyses will follow to better interpret the collected data and clarify emerging trends.