Journalist Report
Crew 319
Position: Crew Journalist
Report prepared by: Mackenzie Calle
Date: 16-10-2025
Sol: 4
Report from Sol 4
I want to start off today’s report with a quote that perfectly encapsulates the day from Crew Engineer Ricardo J. Gonzalez, “We explored from the micro to the macro and looked at everything from the cells to the sun.”
Crew Scientist Shriya Musuku spent the morning in the Science Dome, working on a lot of the equipment, including our microscope! We did a few sample collections around the base and were able to look at the Martian regolith at 100x magnification. The crew is now incredibly excited about what we will be able to sample for our geology experiments, which will begin on tomorrow’s EVA.
Crew Engineer Ricardo successfully began operation of the Solar Observatory and the crew is thrilled to have this space (forgive the pun). We all took turns looking at the sun through the telescope and visualized the cool spots, also known as sunspots. We’re looking forward to imaging solar flares and combining that with the photos of the cool spots to create a full image of the sun through the telescope software.
Spaceseed is now fully operational and we are now on Sol 2 of this experiment. The microgreens experiment that compares vermiculite and a paper towel as a base for broccoli, radish, mung bean, and alfalfa sprouts. Stay tuned for our results.
Crew also spent time on media today with both Commander Rym Chaid and Crew Journalist Mackenzie Calle documenting different aspects of our mission and the base through photo and video.
All crew are really looking forward to our EVA tomorrow morning and being able to freely explore more of the Martian terrain!