Report title: Sol Summary Report
Crew #: 325
Position: Crew Scientist
Report prepared by: Ellenah del Rio
Date: 20Dec2025
Sol: 5
Summary Title: Pizza Day Every Day
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: Today began in the habitat with preparations for the EVA and steady momentum on internal mission tasks. Before the EVA team departed, Isabella and Saranya worked on educational outreach materials connected to the Honours College and the Amelia Earhart Leadership Towards Space Careers Program. Meanwhile, Cesare put on his chef hat once again and began preparing pizza dough and brioche bread, continuing what is quickly becoming his most delicious MDRS tradition. Further, Ellenah volunteered to make chocolate-chip pancakes. The EVA into Candor Chasma was successful, with the team hiking 30 minutes into the canyon before selecting an optimal site to set up experiments. While Morgan excavated a 5 m trench (≥15 cm deep) for his study, Ellenah deployed her solar-panel logging experiment, recorded elevation, and worked through intermittent Arduino disconnections (progressing from 4/30 to 14/30 to 16/30 logs) before resolving the issue and completing a full 30/30 logging run. Adrianna sustained morale throughout by playing upbeat music (including “Dancing Queen” and “Funky Town”), which the team appreciated during the longer setup period; Morgan connected prefabricated cables and initially struggled with wiring but completed setup in roughly an hour. After Morgan’s trial, the team scouted for an additional site for Ellenah’s readings, then returned to the rovers and drove back to the Hab. On return, the EVA crew was welcomed with de-suiting support, a quick debrief on landscape and objectives, and a lighthearted morale boost: an inflated Grogu placed in the living room. Today was also hot shower day for the EVA participants, which they seemed to enjoy immensely, followed by personal time and a few well-earned naps. The evening regrouped around dinner as Cesare set up a full assembly line of toppings and produced five pizzas (margherita, meat lovers, mushroom, pepperoni, and potato), leaving enough leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. Saranya stepped briefly to the science dome to reassemble her RPM experiment after some rig components loosened. The crew then settled in to draft reports and reflect while completing the mid-mission summary, ending the day in a calm, productive atmosphere. After communications close, we might have a movie night, unless our tired bodies request some early bedtime. Yet another wonderful day giving our contribution to the future of Mars exploration.
Look Ahead Plan: One more EVA tomorrow, and more work on our research projects.
Anomalies in work: None.
Weather: Clear and warm.
Crew Physical Status: Everybody is doing great.
EVA: Today we had a long and successful EVA to Candor Chasm.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Photos (6-8 images), Operations Report, EVA 6 Report, Astronomy Report, EVA 7 Request, mid-mission Research Report.
Support Requested: None.