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.