Supplemental Operations Report – <date – October 18th>

Date: 10/18/2025
Name of person filing report: Anderson Wilder
Reason for Report: Routine
Non-Nominal Systems: Crew car. Power system battery, inverters, generator. HAB outer shell, director’s trailer 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 10/16.
2) Current generator hours – 10331.3.

Propane Readings:
Station Tank: 79%
Director Tank: 56%
Intern Tank: 70%
Generator Tank: 75%
Propane refilled on 10/14/2025.

Water:
Hab Static Tank – 281 gallons (above safety level 130 gallons)
GreenHab – 159 gallons (above safety level 60 gallons)
Outpost tank – 400 gallons
Septic Tanks emptied: No. Septic tanks service is scheduled for 10/20/2025.

Rovers:
Sojourner rover used: No
Hours: 221.0
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: No
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: Nominal
Suits: Arrived 10/04/25. Charging nominally.
Comms: Nominal.
T-Echo EVA-link: Nominal.

Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why: Nominal. Crew occupied
Summary of Hab Operations: Nominal
Summary of GreenHab Operations: Nominal
Summary of SciDome Operations: Nominal
Summary of Observatories Operations: Nominal
Summary of RAM Operations: Nominal
Summary of Outpost Operations: Director trailer new water heater installed and tested working. Furnace is not turning on, new sensors and board order, need to be installed.
Summary of Health and Safety Issues: Nominal.

Sol Summary – October 17th

Report title: Sol 5 Summary Report
Crew #: 319
Position: Mission Commander
Report prepared by: Rym Y. Chaid
Date: 17-10-2025
Sol: 5

Summary Title: Cow Dung Road

Mission Status: Nominal. All systems operational.

Sol Activity Summary:

This is Commander Rym Y. Chaid reporting from Mars Station.

Today, Mars reminded us that no matter how well planned we are, every mission dances to its own rhythm.

We had two EVAs scheduled: the morning Crew with GreenHab Officer Mackenzie Caller and Crew Scientist Shriya Musuku, and the afternoon one with Crew Engineer Ricardo Gonzalez and Commander Rym Chaid.

The first EVA ran through some issues that led to safety concerns – but our Crew Midway through the first EVA, we began losing comms with the crew outside. The silence on the radio grew longer each time, and we knew something wasn’t right. The safety of the crew always comes before all else, so although it wasn’t easy, I had to call an Abort and request the EVA crew returns to the hab. Once Mackenzie and Shriya were safely back inside, we shifted gears, spending the rest of the morning troubleshooting in order to find the issue. By early the time of our afternoon EVA, communications were restored, stable, and clear.

Ricardo and I left the airlock together, the sound of our footsteps muffled by our EVA Suits. The sunlight hit the red dust in a way that made everything shimmer faintly, like the planet was scorching.

For a moment, standing there, we both felt something hard to put into words, a stillness that made Earth feel Other Worldly. It was as if Mars itself was alive, ancient and unbothered, watching us take our small steps across its surface. The immensity of the Canyons we explored was humbling, a reminder of our small Human presence in the vastness of this World.

Despite today’s challenges, our crew adapted, overcame, and carried forward with the perseverance that exploration requires.

Lessons Learned: Most canyons and hills look alike! Navigational awareness is gonna be crucial for all upcoming EVAs!

Tomorrow marks the midpoint of our Mission and we are excited with the crew to prepare a small celebration amongst us.

End Transmission.

Anomalies in work: None.
Crew Physical Status: All Crew in Good Health.
EVA: We had our first Mid-Range EVAs today!
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Crew Photos, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Mission Plan, EVA Report 3 & 4
Support Requested: None at this time.

EVA Report – October 17th

Report title: EVA Report
Crew #: 319
Position: HSO / Crew Scientist
Report prepared by: Shriya Musuku; Reviewed by Engineer Ricardo Gonzalez
Date: (17-10-2025)
Sol: 5

EVA #: 3

Purpose of EVA: Geology
Start time: 0900
End time: 1025

Narrative: The EVA started with the purpose of proceeding to cowboy corner via rover and walking to Tharsis Montes via foot to collect geology samples. The crew started out well and in high spirits and reached about halfway before completely losing comms with the habcom. We returned to a point where we could hear them but continued to have a loss of communication due to significant noise. Upon miscommunication, we remained on standby near Galileo road before being asked to return. The noise in our communications led to the understanding that the EVA crew could not communicate with each other, although we were able to hear each other on Channel 2. We returned in high spirits after having enjoyed the weather and getting practice in operating our EVA suits despite not achieving our original mission. The team had a significant learning lesson and developed an improved communications plan for our next EVA, and affirmed over the course of the day that the repeater was interfered with in our canyon, causing the noise or loss of contact with the long range communication (channel 1). We returned on time and were in high spirits despite the situation.

Destination per MDRS Map:
Departure Point: MDRS Base
Rover Drop: Cowboy Corner
Furthest Exploration Point: Tharsis Montes

Destination Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 519500 – 4253500

EVA Participants:
Scientist – Shriya Musku
GreenHab Officer – Mackenzie Calle
HabCom: Commander Rym and Engineer Ricardo

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
Cow Dung Road 0110

Mode of travel:
Spirit Rover + walking

Sol Summary – <date – October 20th>

Report title: Sol 8 Summary Report
Crew #: 319
Position: Mission Commander
Report prepared by: Rym Y. Chaid
Date: 20-10-2025
Sol: 8

Summary Title:

Mission Status: Nominal. All systems nominal.

Sol Activity Summary:

This is Commander Rym Y. Chaid transmitting from Mars Desert Research Station.

Today was a day that reminded us just how extraordinary this mission truly is. We had two successful EVAs, both filled with discoveries that made Mars feel both ancient and alive.

For the morning EVA, Shriya and myself headed to Gateway to Lith, a site that once held the remains of creatures from a world far older than ours: Dinosaurs! Walking through that landscape, we couldn’t help but feel humbled by the deep history beneath our boots, as if time itself was watching us explore. On our way back, we crossed a field of crystalline formations that shimmered under the sun. The light refracted into soft blue hues that danced across the terrain, for a moment, it felt as if Mars had decided to guide us home with its own version of a runway. We made a brief stop at Cowboy’s Corner, where we collected a few geological samples and explored the surrounding mounts, each step paced with our desire for adventure.

In the afternoon, Crew Engineer Ricardo Gonzalez and Crew Journalist Mackenzie Calle set out for Somerville Overlook and Compass Rock. They returned exalted, their sample collection bag significantly heavier, enough rocks to make any geologist giggle from joy. The photos they brought back are stunning, capturing the red and white canyons that stretch endlessly under the soft Martian light.

Tonight, I’m the kitchen chef, preparing a well-earned comfort meal for our crew movie night. The menu: hearty food and good laughs. Afterwards, we’ll step outside for some stargazing, Orion should be magnificent tonight as it has been the past few days, and we hope Jupiter and Saturn decide to show up again.

As the Sol comes to an end, our hearts (and stomachs) are full, our spirits high, and our gratitude endless. Mars continues to test us, inspire us, and surprise us, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

End Transmission.

Commander Rym Y. Chaid

Anomalies in work: None.
Crew Physical Status: All Crew in Good Health.
EVA: 2 EVAs. One in the morning – Destination: Gateway to Lith. One in the afternoon – Destination: Somerville Overlook
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Crew Photos, Greenhab Report, Operations Report. EVA Reports.
Support Requested: None at this time.

EVA Report – <date – October 20th>

Report title: EVA Report
Crew #: 319
Position: HSO / Crew Scientist
Report prepared by: Shriya Musuku;
Reviewed by: Commander Rym Chaid
Date: (20-10-2025)
Sol: 8

EVA #: 7

Purpose of EVA: Geology
Start time: 0900
End time: 1205

Narrative: The EVA crew left the main hab on the perseverance rover in good spirits and under amazing weather. The crew proceeded to the Gateway to Lith dinosaur quarry and followed the pathway without an interruption. Once in the dinosaur quarry, the crew was able to explore the beautiful terrain, found Martian water, and was able to get some media documentation of our exploration. Additionally, we saw several cool rocks that formed in the area and were able to collect a few geology samples. Once done with our sampling, we left the quarry and proceeded back to the MDRS base with our Plan B, Cowboy Corner, as a pit stop. There, we also collected samples and documented our experience while enjoying the beautiful sun. We also encountered an alien on foot and proceeded to stay away from them to keep ourselves safe. Finally, we made it back to the MDRS base after an amazing, safe, and productive EVA.

Destination per MDRS Map:
Plan A: Gateway to Lith
Plan B (contingency): Cowboy Corner

Destination Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84):
Plan A: 518250, 4255750
Plan B (contingency): 518750, 4253000

EVA Participants:
Shriya Musuku & Rym Chaid
HABCOM: Ricardo and Mackenzie

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
Cow Dung Road 0110

Mode of travel:
Driving (Perseverance)
Walking

EVA Report – <date – October 20th>

Journalist Report
Crew 319
Position: Crew Journalist
Report prepared by: Mackenzie Calle
Date: 20-10-2025
Sol: 8

Report from Sol 8

Reporting from Sol 8 10.20.25 17:50PM

Crew 319 enjoyed a more restful Sunday evening and caught up on some sleep before heading out on two, three-hour EVAs today, the longest we have achieved so far. EVA Crew 1 with Commander Rym Chaid and Crew Scientist Shriya Musuku took Perseverance Rover to the dinosaur quarry at the Gateway to Lith to explore the terrain before collecting mineral samples at Cowboy Corner, including some surprise pieces of what appears to be quartz. EVA Crew 2 with Crew Engineer Ricardo J. Gonzalez and Crew Journalist Mackenzie Calle took Opportunity Rover for its first EVA of our mission and headed to Somerville Overlook and were astounded at the views of the canyons and plateaus that we could see for miles. They also collected many geological samples, especially those that had crystalline and botryoidal structures. We noticed a strong sprinkling of red rock amongst the soft clay. The marbling in the canyon plateaus was also very strong.

The two EVAs were very productive and encouraging for both crews.

GreenHab Report – <date – October 20th>

Green Hab Report
Crew #319
Position: Crew Journalist & Green Hab Officer
Report prepared by: Mackenzie Calle
Date: 20-10-2025
Sol: 8

Environmental control (fan & heater): Fan min 75F, max 80F
Average temperatures (last 24h):
Maximum temperature (last 24h):
Minimum temperature (last 24h):
Hours of supplemental light: 0
Daily water usage for crops: 0.1 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0
Water in the Tank (160 gal useful capacity): _160____ gallons remaining (system says 160 but I used some last night and the last few days it has been at 159)
Time(s) of watering for crops: 5 minutes misting the microgreen seeds for Spaceseed and MDRS microgreens
Changes to crops: Green leaves are growing strong on both the Spaceseed microgreens and the vermiculite wet trays. The moist vermiculite tray has some strong microgreens but some are turning brown.
Soil Moisture Level: 9.2 (Average of five points, one on each corner and center)

Green Hab Officer checked on both Spaceseed and the microgreens experiments, both of which have been removed from their stacks and laid flat side by side. The Spaceseed trays are within the cabinet still covered in their black cover and the vermiculite is on the wooden palette in the Green Hab covered with a clear top. The leaves are continuing to grow on both the Spaceseed trays and the wet vermiculite trays but they are not as strong on the vermiculite trays that had less water. Water levels of all experiments are continuing to be monitored.

Operations Report – <date – October 20th>

Report title: Operations Report
Crew #: 319
Position: Crew Engineer
Report prepared by: Ricardo Javier Gonzalez
Date: 20-10-2025
Sol: 8

NON-NOMINAL SYSTEMS

Non-nominal systems:
Nothing to report

Notes on non-nominal systems:
Nothing to report

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: No
Hours: N/A
Beginning charge: N/A
Ending charge: N/A
Currently charging: No

Opportunity rover used: Yes
Hours:
Initial: 228.7
Final: 229.8
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 60%
Currently charging: No

Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: N/A
Beginning charge: N/A
Ending charge: N/A
Currently charging: No

Perseverance rover used: Yes
Hours: N/A
Initial: 372.3
Final: 373.3
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 54%
Currently charging: No

General notes on rovers:
All rovers nominal post-EVA.

CAMPUS

Summary of Hab operations:
Water Use (see notes): 13.03 gal/d
Main tank level (remaining gallons, see notes): 254 gal (61.1%)
Static tank pipe heater (ON or OFF) (Orange cable): ON
Static tank heater (ON or OFF) (Black cable): ON
Toilet tank emptied (NO or YES): No

Summary of internet:
Nothing to report

Summary of suits and radios:
Suits – all suits are nominal.
Radios – all radios in the Main Hab have low battery indicators.
All other radios are nominal

Summary of GreenHab operations:
Water use: 0.1 gal
Heater (ON or OFF): ON
Supplemental light (hours of operation): 0 hrs
Harvest (name, weight in grams): N/A

Summary of ScienceDome operations:
Nothing to report
Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off or Automatic): OFF

Summary of RAM operations:
Nothing to Report

Summary of any observatory issues:
Nothing to Report

Summary of health and safety issues:
HSO reported all crew safe and all Health Equipment to be intact

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
N/A

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