Day: February 6, 2026

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Journalist Report – October 14th

Crew 319

Position: Crew Journalist

Report prepared by: Mackenzie Calle

Date: 13-10-2025

Sol: 2

Crew had a successful evening of Sol 1 and Sol 2! Highlighted by Shriya cooking a magnificent one pot egg pulao, a classic that she makes for herself and her family, and now us here at MDRS! We are starting to adapt to life on the red planet, beginning the mornings with crew meetings that delve into the day’s plans and the necessary experiments. We then drink as much coffee as we feel comfortable rationing at this point (except Ricardo who is going caffeine free!), do some stretching, and eat light breakfasts.

We are missing Elias, our Health & Safety Officer, who was not ultimately able to make the mission. He is absolutely with us in spirit as well as in the form of an incredible green squishy duck that we picked up on our way from Salt Lake City to MDRS. Duck Elias is a very calming presence for the crew and so beloved, as is real Elias. In his absence, Crew Scientist Shriya has stepped up and broadly taken on the role, alongside our Commander Rym Chaid.

The entire crew helped set up Spaceseed today, one of the World’s Biggest Analog (WBA) experiments. It has been a true labor of love and took up most of the day to get it up and running. Well, as I write this it is almost set up and will be completed tonight. Excited to begin collecting this data tomorrow.

Crew Engineer Ricardo J. Gonzalez is now approved to operate the telescopes and our crew is planning astronomy proposals to capture celestial images. We are also planning our first EVA for tomorrow and the crew is excited to begin exploring and familiarizing ourselves with the spacesuits and the Martian terrain!

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Journalist Report – October 13th

Journalist Report

Crew 319

Position: Crew Journalist

Report prepared by: Mackenzie Calle

Date: 13-10-2025

Sol: 1

Report from Sol 0 evening and Sol 1

Crew embarked on a night EVA to capture media assets on Sol 0 departing at 9:30PM and returning at approximately 11PM. Photo assets were captured by Mackenzie Calle and Rym Chaid. It was incredibly successful with stunning night images and crew felt thrilled (but tired) after returning to the hab. Crew was primarily directly behind the hab near ridge where the satellite device sits.

Between 1:45-3:30AM crew participated in the World’s Biggest Analog Opening Ceremony, joining the 15 other habitats participating to officially kick-off the WBA. We enjoyed seeing the other habs participating.

Due to the late night we had a later start today at 9AM. Crew set out our goals for the day and completed all pre-mission surveys as well as Sol 1 surveys. We also familiarized ourselves significantly more with the hab and facilities.

As journalist I spent time walking around each space and brainstorming photo ideas as well as capturing images of the facilities, crew, and Martian landscape.

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Sol Summary – October 13th

Report title: Sol Summary Report

Crew #: 319

Position: Mission Commander

Report prepared by: Rym Y. Chaid

Date: 13-10-2025

Sol: 1

Summary Title: From the Red Planet

Mission Status: Nominal. All systems operational.

Sol Activity Summary:

SOL 1 began with the crimson sunrise of a new world.
The desert outside our habitat glowed like an ocean of red dust, a reminder that though we stand on Earth’s soil, today we live and breathe as if we were on Mars.

The habitat, though still unfamiliar, has already begun to feel like home.

First night on Mars was special for our crew, as we explored the terrain deep into the Martian night! The MICO-VIE WBA Global Mission’s Opening Ceremony connected us to habitats across the world, voices from around the globe converging into one mission, one purpose: the World’s Biggest Analog ever attempted in history! Despite ending our night at 0330 am local time and the pull of fatigue, at 0900 local time, we officially crossed the threshold and began life on Mars.

I watched my crew each step through the airlock with that unmistakable spark in their eyes: awe, focus, and pride. This is what we have trained for. This is the dream we now live.

Throughout the day, we settled into our duties of habitat operations, reporting protocols, and the first round of mission deliverables. The crew demonstrated adaptability and professionalism, despite very limited rest. Systems remained nominal. Communications established and verified. Crew Morale: High!

Between tasks, we found moments of quiet reflection, a shared meal, a contagious laugh, the simple joy of realizing: we are explorers, even here, under the hum of recycled air and life support systems.

The desert winds outside remind us that isolation can be both humbling and empowering. In every grain of dust around us, we see the echoes of Mars, a place that feels both distant and familiar, a mirror of human curiosity and resilience that we are determined to explore.

As Commander, I could not be prouder of our Crew. Today, we proved together what it means to begin and to adapt together.

Tomorrow, the work continues. But tonight, we rest beneath a Martian sky, tired, inspired, and united by a shared purpose: to dream beyond Earth.

Anomalies in work: None at this time.

Weather:

Crew Physical Status: All Crew in Good Health + Spirit.

EVA: N/A – EVA activities for Crew 319 are scheduled to commence SOL 3, pending weather clearance and approval of EVA requests on SOL 2 COMS Window.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Crew Photos, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, HSO Pre-Mission Checklist

Support Requested: None at this time.

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Operations Report – October 13th

Report title: Operations Report

Crew #: 319

Position: Crew Engineer

Report prepared by: Ricardo Javier Gonzalez

Date: 13-10-2025

Sol: 1

Non-nominal systems:

Notes on non-nominal systems:

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: N/A

Opportunity rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: N/A

Curiosity rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: N/A

Perseverance rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: N/A

General notes on rovers: Nothing to Report

Summary of Hab operations:

Water Use (see notes): 12.03 gal/d

Main tank level (remaining gallons, see notes): 336 gal

Static tank pipe heater (ON or OFF): No

Static tank heater (ON or OFF): No

Toilet tank emptied (NO or YES): No; however, toilet tank is ⅔ full and will be emptied eiter by crew tonight or tomorrow morning.

Summary of internet: Nothing to Report

Summary of suits and radios: All suits and radios are in a nominal config

Summary of GreenHab operations: Crew Journalist unloaded Spaceseed and micro green experiment materials, but has not begun either experiment

Water use: 0 gallons

Heater (ON or OFF): OFF

Supplemental light (hours of operation): 0

Harvest (name, weight in grams): N/A

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Nothing to Report

Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off or Automatic): Automatic

Summary of RAM operations: Crew Engineer used pre-cut tennis balls (QTY. 4) to place over four fence posts in the tunnel section near the Science Dome. This is preventative maintenance for the white tarp that covers the tunnels.

Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to Report

Summary of health and safety issues: HSO reported all Health Equipment to be intact and handed minor scratch on Commander

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HSO Beginning of Mission Checklist – October 13th

Report title: HSO Beginning of Mission Checklist

Crew #: 319

Position: Health & Safety Officer

Report prepared by: Shriya Musuku

Date: (13-10-2025)

Part 1

Locate and confirm the emergency escape routes in the Hab are functional and clear:

Stairs (between lower end upper deck)

Clear

Emergency window (upper deck, east side)

Clear

Commander’s window (located in the commander’s crew quarter)

Clear

Part 2

Inventory First Aid kit and note what needs to be refilled:

Nitrile gloves are running low; May need refill after mission

Triangle band aids seem low; May need refill after mission

Crew seeking approval to use some for field response EVA experiment

Part 3

Note any safety issues:

Commander scraped her left shin on the stairs leading to the tunnels. Slight bleed, contained with antiseptic and a band aid. Very minor scrap.

Note any health/environmental issues:

The stairs where Commander had an issue on the stairs and alerted the crew to be aware of safety during entry and exit from the back side of the main hab

Note any missing or recommended health and safety supplies:

Part 4. Using the attached Safety Equipment Inventory, locate, test and confirm operation of all safety equipment. List any equipment not found and/or missing. See notes on the next page.

Safety Equipment Inventory

HAB Upper deck

HAB Lower deck

RAM

Green Hab

Science Dome

Escape ladder

X

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eyewash

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

X

Fire blanket

X

N/A

X

N/A

X

Fire extinguisher

X

X

X

X

X

First Aid

N/A

X

N/A

N/A

X

Intercom

X

N/A

X

X

X

Radios (Channels 10 and 22)

X

X

X

X

X

Nightlight

X

X

X

N/A

X

Carbon Monoxide alarm

X

X

X

X

X

Smoke alarm

X

X

X

X

X

Propane alarm

X

X

N/A

N/A

N/A

EVA Safety Kit

N/A

X

N/A

N/A

N/A

Confirmed that escape ladder is present

Confirmed that fire blanket is present in the main hab, RAM, and science dome

Confirmed that fire extinguisher is present in the upper main deck, lower main deck, green hab, science dome, RAM

Confirmed that first aid kit is present in the lower deck. Please see notes about refills

Confirmed that intercom is present and functional in the upper deck, greenhab, science dome

Confirmed that radio channels are present and functional in the upper deck, lower deck, science dome, and green hab

Confirmed presence of alarms in the upper deck, lower deck, greenhab, and science dome

Confirmed presence of night lights in the upper and lower deck, science dome

Confirmed presence of eye wash in the science dome

End of the report

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GreenHab Report – October 13th

Crew #319

Position: Crew Journalist & Green Hab Officer

Report prepared by: Mackenzie Calle

Date: 13-10-2025

Sol: 1

Environmental control (fan & heater): Fan min 75F and max 80F

Average temperatures (last 24h): 85.1F

Maximum temperature (last 24h): 110.5 F

Minimum temperature (last 24h): 59.7 F

Hours of supplemental light: 0

Daily water usage for crops: 0

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0

Water in the Tank (160 gal useful capacity): _____ gallons remaining

Time(s) of watering for crops: 0

Changes to crops: 0

Soil Moisture Level: 9

Green Hab officer unloaded the Spaceseed materials and microgreens experiment but has not yet set up either experiment. That will be completed tomorrow to begin data collection.

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Crew Bios and Mission Patch – <Date – April 5th>

Rym Chaid – Mission Commander & Crew Astronomer:
Rym is Director of the Mars Society Canada with a background in mechanical/aerospace engineering and space health research. An experienced analog astronaut, she has explored extreme environments from caves to Moon and Mars simulations, and flying in Microgravity, always with a mission to showcase the human context of exploration. As the Commander of the World’s Biggest Analog mission at MDRS, Rym brings both leadership experience and vision, and is dedicated to inspiring others and advancing humanity’s journey toward becoming a spacefaring civilization through her Documentary storytelling.

Ricardo J. Gonzalez – Crew Engineer & Crew Astronomer:
Ricardo J. Gonzalez is an astrophysicist turned engineer and NASA flight controller supporting the ISS from the Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas. As an aspiring astronaut, he is eager to find solutions to spaceflight’s most complex challenges, including living and working in extreme environments. Now, his ambitions turn towards the analog astronaut world in pursuit of his greater dreams through participation in Crew 319 at MDRS under the World’s Biggest Analog program.

Shriya Musuku – HSO & Crew Scientist:
Shriya Musuku is a Mechanical Engineer (BS/MS), first responder, and premedical candidate. Her passion for health and technology merges in her work in the analog astronautics field through the World’s Biggest Analog mission where she is the Crew Science Officer. She is passionate about expanding healthcare access and STEAM education and is leveraging this mission to advance those initiatives through community engagement

Mackenzie Calle – Crew Journalist & Green Hab Officer:
Mackenzie Calle is a documentary photographer and National Geographic Explorer. Focused on long-term stories, her work largely delves into space science and queer issues. Her work has been awarded by World Press Photo and the Sony World Photography Awards, amongst others. She is thrilled to be a part of the World’s Biggest Analog and Crew 319 at Mars Desert Research Station to document this story from the perspective of a crew member.

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Supplemental Operations Report – October 11th

Date: 10/11/2025
Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov
Reason for Report: Routine
Non-Nominal Systems: Crew car. Power system battery, inverters, generator. HAB outer shell, director’s trailer water heater and furnace.

Power system: Generator burning about 1/2 qt/day oil. Daily refills required.
No changes to batteries or slave inverters observed.
1) 100 hr maintenance (including oil and oil filter change) conducted on 10/8.
2) Current generator hours – 10222.6.

Propane Readings:
Station Tank: 79%
Director Tank: 60%
Intern Tank: 76%
Generator Tank: 49%
Propane refilled on 9/30/2025.

Water:
Hab Static Tank – 166 gallons (above safety level 130 gallons)
GreenHab – 159 gallons (above safety level 60 gallons)
Outpost tank – 95 gallons
Septic Tanks emptied: No. Septic tanks service is scheduled for 10/20/2025.

Rovers:
Sojourner rover used: Yes. From ___to ___.
Hours: 220.8
Beginning Charge: 100 %
Ending Charge: _ %
Currently Charging: Yes
Notes on Rovers: Rovers maintenance done on 10/03/25.

Cars:
Hab Car used and why, where: To Hanksville for supplies.
Crew Car used and why, where: To Hanksville, Grand Junction for supplies.
General notes and comments: Crew car driver’s side front ball joint is bad. HAB car maintenance is pending. Crew car oil changed, break fluid system flushed, tires rotated, rear break pads + calipers on 09/29/2025. Hab and Crew car windshield wipers replaced.

Summary of Internet: Nominal.
EVA suits and radios:
Suits: Arrived 10/04/25. Charging nominally.
Comms: Nominal.
T-Echo EVA-link: Nominal.

Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why: Campus cleaned for first crew. Reinstalled tunnel tarp tie downs after previous wind incursions.
Summary of Hab Operations: All systems are ready for first crew. Toilet level indicator replacement complete. Installation of new SIMOC sensors complete. SAM personnel confirms effective receipt of sensor data.
Summary of GreenHab Operations: Cleaned. Prepared for first crew.
Summary of SciDome Operations: New CO alarm installed, eyewash replaced, Z-wave installed for HA server on 09/30/25.
Summary of Observatories Operations: Nominal.
Summary of RAM Operations: Cleaned. Trash removed.
Summary of Outpost Operations: Director trailer furnace sensors cleaned, thermostat replaced. New water heater purchased and scheduled for be installed next week. Furnace is not turning on, troubleshooting pending.
Summary of Health and Safety Issues: Nominal.

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Supplemental Operations Report – September 28th

Date: 9/28/2025
Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov
Reason for Report: Routine
Non-Nominal Systems: Crew car. Power system battery, inverters, generator. HAB outer shell, director’s trailer water heater. SciDome window lock.

Power system: Solar: The battery bank does not hold charge when the sun is down and low on the horizon. Inverter Slave 1 and 2 went offline and do not restart, which limits us to 4kW when on solar.
Generator is consuming oil because of worn piston rings. Adding oil every day is necessary. Generator is limited to 8kW, see previous reports for details. No further leaks have been observed. After the off season generator required 24 hours to recharge its battery before it was able to start.
1) Oil, oil filter changed on 09/21/2025. Gen hours – 9936.1
2) Current hours – 10036.2

Propane Readings:
Station Tank: 79%
Director Tank: 61%
Intern Tank: 81%
Generator Tank: 40%

Water:
Hab Static Tank – 166 gallons (above safety level 130 gallons)
GreenHab – 220 gallons
Outpost tank – 250 gallons
Septic Tanks emptied: No

Rovers:
Sojourner rover used: Yes. From Hanksville to the station and around MDRS for work party
Hours: 219.7
Beginning Charge: 100 %
Ending Charge: 52 %
Currently Charging: Yes
Notes on Rovers: All rovers maintained during summer break.
Perseverance – 369.4 hours.
Curiosity – 326.6 hours.
Spirit – 283.6 hours.
Opportunity – 227.3 hours.

Cars:
Hab Car used and why, where: To Hanksville for supplies.
Crew Car used and why, where: To Hanksville for supplies.
General notes and comments: Crew car driver’s side front ball joint is bad. Hab car battery replace. Both cars’ maintenance is pending.

Summary of Internet: Orbi router has been reset successfully. Nominal.
EVA suits and radios:
Suits: ETA on October 4th.
Comms: Nominal.
T-Echo EVA-link: Nominal.

Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why: Campus cleaned and ready for the season. Repaired road signs, general maintenance of the viewing area. Installed the tarps on tunnels.
Summary of Hab Operations: All systems are ready for the season. Water meter upgraded with a power supply. Toilet level indicator replacement is pending. Installed insulation in the loft where daylight was showing through. Changed the water system filters. Heater filter changed. Installed new insulation and foil-wrapped water tank exterior pipes. General removal of abandoned conduits, wiring, pipes. Replaced the porch light with new LED flood light. Replaced dead shower light with new LED fixture. Installed non-slip hazard tape in trip-hazard locations. Installed 12" high guardrails at the edge of the loft. Repaired furnace wiring that was temporarily. Some upgrades done in CQ. Water tank level sensor installed for testing.

Summary of GreenHab Operations: Cleaned and set up for the season.
Summary of SciDome Operations: Cleaned and organized for the season. Window lock need to be replaced. Installed new insulation and foil-wrapped the copper lines from the Dual Split.
Summary of Observatories Operations: Ready for the season.
Summary of RAM Operations: Cleaned and restocked for the season.
Summary of Outpost Operations: Cleaned and ready for the season. Director’s trailer water heater has a progressive leak.
Summary of Health and Safety Issues: Nominal

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