Report title: Sol 6 Summary Report
Crew #: 319
Position: Mission Commander
Report prepared by: Rym Y. Chaid
Date: 18-10-2025
Sol: 6
Summary Title: Spotted on Mars: Four Legged Friends!
Mission Status: Nominal. All systems nominal. We have actually reached the midpoint of our Mission so we are celebrating tonight!!
Sol Activity Summary:
This is Commander Rym Y. Chaid transmitting from Mars Desert Research Station.
Today was a good day on Mars, with a few unexpected discoveries!
We completed two EVAs, both smooth and nominal. During the morning EVA team, Crew Engineer Ricardo Gonzalez and Crew Scientist Shriya Musuku, conducted a navigation EVA, continuing our work on terrain mapping and rover handling. Their coordination and communication were excellent, a clear sign of how well our crew has settled into mission rhythm.
In the afternoon, myself and GreenHab Officer Mackenzie Calle headed out for our Mission’s very first walking-only EVA, focused on navigation and geology sampling. Without the rovers, the surface felt more alive beneath our boots. Every step was deliberate, the sun scorching hot and the time ticking to get back safely. The ridges around the habitat gave us spectacular views, with endless layers of red and white stretching into the distance. It is genuinely a sight that humbles you instantly.
I also took the opportunity to collect a few additional “Martian” soil samples, not for science this time, but for art. After the mission, I plan to transform these samples into paintings, using the same dust we’ve walked on as the medium. Even in simulation, Mars has a way of stirring creativity.
Today also marks the midpoint of our mission, and spirits are high! Tonight, we’re celebrating with a special dinner and dessert: fried plantain bananas, courtesy of our Chef Ricardo, followed by a screening of The Martian, because really, what else would the Martian crew watch on Mars? Popcorn is ready, and so are we.
In other exciting “discoveries,” we may have just made history: the first dog spotted on the surface of Mars, right outside the Hab! Call National Geographic and Discovery Channel, we’ve got groundbreaking footage. (Don’t worry, he appears to be a friendly Earth-based visitor who momentarily breached the simulation perimeter.)
And to top it off, we finally powered on our Station’s very own robotic cat today. The voice programming alone sent the whole crew into laughter, whoever programmed her personality was.. Let’s just say: unsupervised. She’s officially joined our manifest as the final crew member.
Tomorrow, we return to the field, rested, motivated, and ready to keep exploring this red world we now call home.
End Transmission.
Anomalies in work: None.
Crew Physical Status: All Crew in Good Health.
EVA: We had two successful EVAs today:
Morning: Navigation EVA with Crew Engineer Ricardo Gonzalez and Scientist Shriya Musuku – all systems nominal.
Afternoon: Geology EVA with Commander Rym Chaid and GreenHab Officer Mackenzie Calle – all systems nominal.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Crew Photos, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Mission Plan, EVA Report 5 & 6.
Support Requested: None at this time.