Journalist Report
Crew #: 335
Position: Matteo Calore (Crew Journalist)
Date: 30APR2026
Sol: 11
Today is our last day on Mars. We woke up around 7:00 a.m. and started the day with pancakes. We were all a bit tired, but excited for our final EVA. We were finally heading to the Sea of Shells, and we were all curious to see this new territory. We have to say that reality exceeded our expectations.
When we arrived at the Mars Overlook, we were all amazed by the beauty and diversity of the landscape. The red gradients of Mars slowly faded from a light beige-brown into a dark grey and black, transporting us into a lunar landscape. We were no longer on Mars, but on the Moon, or perhaps on one of Mars’ moons.
We paused to take in this extraordinary view before slowly descending toward the Sea of Shells. There, we found ourselves walking on a carpet of shells of indeterminate age, mysterious fossils from a time unknown to us. We wondered what kind of shells they were and how they could have ended up there in such vast quantities. These questions remained unanswered. In the distance, we could see a black obelisk, almost like a spacecraft ready to launch into space.
We then made our way back slowly, taking in the Martian landscape one last time through our suits. As our Commander says, it is difficult to stop being amazed by the beauty, diversity, and sense of wonder that these places evoke.
Back at the Hub, we shared our final meal as astronauts. This afternoon, we ended the simulation and returned to Earth. It is a strange feeling to shift from one planet to another. To know that now you are surrounded by a civilization, by shops, by restaurants, and that you can simply get into a car and go wherever you want.