Day: May 5, 2026

Crew Biographies
Crew #333
Position: Commander
Report prepared by: Marie Jansen
Date: 29-03-2026
Sol: 0

We are a team of six students from UCLouvain, united by a shared academic and personal interest in space science and the exploration of Mars. Our diverse educational backgrounds provide an interdisciplinary framework through which we approach the study of planetary environments, enabling us to integrate concepts from computer science, engineering, geology, and related scientific fields. This collaborative perspective allows us to examine complex challenges associated with extraterrestrial exploration in a systematic and rigorous manner.

We aim to establish meaningful connections between our respective fields of study while contributing to the broader scientific understanding of Martian systems. In particular, we seek to explore key questions related to planetary conditions, habitability, and the technological requirements for sustained exploration. By engaging with current methodologies and building upon existing scientific literature, our work is intended to both reinforce foundational knowledge and generate insights that may inform future investigations in planetary science.

Ultimately, this project represents not only an academic endeavor but also an opportunity to develop critical research skills and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Marie Jansen – Crew Commander
Psychology student

I am a final year student in clinical adult psychology. I hold the role of mission commander and am conducting research on conflict management within a group in a confined environment. Curious by nature and drawn to ambitious projects, I am particularly fascinated by space and what it reveals about human psychology. Participating in the MDRS is for me an opportunity to combine scientific rigor with my love for new experiences.

Article: Bishop, S. L., Kobrick, R., Battler, M., & Binsted, K. (2010). FMARS 2007: Stress and coping in an arctic Mars simulation. Acta Astronautica, 66(9–10), 1353–1367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2009.12.014

Matias Ballivian – Crew Astronomer
Engineering student

I am pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering at the Louvain School of Engineering (EPL) and will serve as astronomer for the Arsia Crew 2026 mission. I will conduct an experiment on passive methods to extend communication range by building an LC resonant circuit and a reflective surface, then testing their effect during EVA by comparing signal strength and range with and without the system, aiming to evaluate a simple, low-power solution for improving communication reliability in remote environment

Antoine Dubois – Crew Executive Officer & Crew Engineer
Geographical Sciences Graduate & Biology student

I hold a Master’s degree in Geographical Sciences from UCLouvain and have since pursued additional training in biology and ecology to broaden my interdisciplinary approach to environmental research. I currently serve as Executive Officer, while also taking on engineering responsibilities, building on my previous experience as Crew Engineer during an earlier mission.

My work now focuses on the comparison of terrain perception between ground-level observations during EVA reconnaissance and aerial perspectives acquired through drone imagery. This approach aims to better understand how scale, angle, and mobility influence the identification of geomorphological features and areas of scientific interest.

Joanna Galloway – Crew Journalist
Computer Science student

The crossover between technology and space is profound, as each continuously drives the advancement of the other. Technology enables us to explore and understand outer space in greater depth, while the discoveries we make in space, in turn, help us improve and innovate our technological capabilities. Space exploration, especially the ongoing focus on Mars, is a crucial area of study that pushes the boundaries of what we can achieve and accelerates the development of new tools, systems, and methods. In this project, I will take on the role of the Crew Journalist, where I will document findings and conduct a series of experiments focused on testing gesture-based interaction within this extreme and unfamiliar environment. This is a continuation of previous research conducted in this MDRS.

Article: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3743712

Zahraa Al-bayati – Crew Health and Safety Officer
Speech and language therapist student

Throughout my academic journey, I have explored how humans express, adapt, and understand one another. My studies in speech and language pathology have deepened my curiosity about how communication functions across different contexts and how it might transform beyond Earth.

After working at the Euro Space Center, the mysteries of space and human adaptation became a true passion. I discovered how scientific exploration can bring people together around shared challenges and discoveries.Through this mission I will focus on how verbal communication evolves during a simulated Martian mission, particularly under conditions of isolation, stress, and fatigue. I aim to observe changes in speech fluency, identify adaptive communication strategies used by crew members, and explore how simple tools inspired by speech and language therapy could help maintain clear and efficient interactions.

Article: Badam, M. S. R. (2025). The Scope for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists in Space Research: Views and Perspectives. Dil Konuşma ve Yutma Araştırmaları Dergisi, 8(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.58563/dkyad-2025.81.1

Matthias De Groote – Crew GreenHab Officer
Biologist, Master student

Currently in the first year of my Master’s degree in organism biology and ecology at UCLouvain, I will take on the role of GreenHab Officer for the Arsia Mission. Fascinated by the development of life in space, I aim to combine this passion with my research by studying the germination of tomatoes in different soils, including desert, martian and potting soil, to see if desert soil can be used a substitute to martian soil and what proportion of organic matter is necessary for ideal germination.

We anticipate that our research will yield significant contributions to the field and provide a foundation for subsequent investigations. Furthermore, we expect that this project will offer substantial opportunities for learning and intellectual development.

Mission Plan Crew 333
Mars Desert Research Station
March 29-April 11

Conflict management and stress in an isolated environment: a study among participants of the MARS project at UCLouvain
Marie Jansen

Objective
The aim of this research is to examine the extent to which conflict management strategies influence their resolution over time. It also seeks to analyze the evolution of these strategies and to compare their use between a terrestrial environment and a confined setting, as well as the influence all of this may have on stress. This study will contribute to a better understanding of how individuals adapt to conflict in contexts of isolation and confinement.

Methodology
Before the simulation:

• Dutch questionnaire: assessment of usual conflict management styles in daily life

During the simulation (Anonymized online logbook, daily, ~10 min):

• Brief description of any disagreements experienced during the day
• Identification of conflict management strategies (Thomas-Kilmann model, Likert scales)
• Self-assessment and assessment of the other parties involved
• Additional questionnaire: emotional or cognitive presence of the disagreement at the time of completion

Schedule

• Data collection every evening for 10 minutes.

Comparative Analysis of Ground-Based EVA and Drone-Acquired Terrain Perception
Antoine Dubois

Objective
To compare terrain perception in a Mars-analogue environment between ground-level observations during EVA and aerial perspectives acquired through drone imagery.

Methodology

• Field observations during EVA with systematic description of geomorphological features and zones of interest.
• Drone flights over the same areas to capture oblique imagery.
• Comparative analysis between human perception and aerial data to identify biases and complementarities.

Schedule

• EVA every two days on selected sites.
• Pre-EVA briefing to define objectives and areas of interest.
• Post-EVA debrief with crew to compare individual perceptions and confront them with drone imagery.
• Data processing and synthesis between EVAs, with final analysis at the end of the mission.

Verbal Communication and adaptive strategies in extreme confinement: Contribution of speech and language pathology in a Simulated Martian Mission
Zahraa Al-bayati

Objective
To observe how verbal communication evolves during a two-week simulated mission and identify compensatory strategies used by participants to maintain efficiency and group cohesion under stress and fatigue.

Methodology

• Five adult crew members participate voluntarily with informed consent
• Audio recordings of daily briefings, team meetings, and EVA planning
• Short language task (2–3 minutes) every 3–4 days (describe the day or explain a task)
• Brief self-questionnaire every 3 days (stress, fatigue, communication ease)
• Observation log of misunderstandings, conversational repairs, and adaptive strategies
• Participants can withdraw at any time and request data deletion

Schedule

• Beginning phase: Day 1–2 (baseline recordings)
• Middle phase: Day 7–8 (mid-mission recordings)
• Final phase: Day 11-12 (end-mission recordings)
• Language tasks every 3–4 days throughout the mission
• Self-questionnaires every 3 days throughout the mission

Passive Methods to Improve EVA Communication Range
Matias Ballivian

Objective
Compare passive methods to increase radio communication range during EVA without increasing transmitter power consumption.
Methodology

• Directional Antenna Using Reflector Element.
• Passive RLC networks

Schedule

• Create the devices as soon as the components arrive at the station
• Testing on short range EVA communication
• Testing on long range EVA communication
• Comparing the results and drawing conclusions on the viability of these methods

Testing gesture-based interaction in an extreme environment
Joanna Galloway
Objective
To analyze the evolution of a defined set of motor gestures performed by an individual over the course of a simulated extreme environment, utilizing a Tap Strap device, and to evaluate the extent to which the wearable equipment influences movement patterns, accuracy, and consistency.

Methodology

• Use of two Tap Strap, a laptop and an iphone camera
• Qualitative analysis with the help of a form to fill in after each session
• 3 Different sessions for each individual

Schedule

• Initial session in the science dome: Sol 3.
• Session with light equipment: Sol 7
• Session with heavy equipment: Sol 11

Assessing tomato germination on different soils and organic matter proportions
Matthias De Groote
Objective
To assess the effects of Martian soil simulant and organic matter on the germination and early growth of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), and to compare its performance with desert soil and a control substrate.

Methodology

• Prepare different substrate conditions (Martian soil simulant, desert soil, control substrate, and mixtures).
• Use replicated pots for each condition to ensure experimental reliability.
• Sow 10 seeds in each pot.
• Monitor seeds daily to record germination rate and timing.
• Select a subset of plants after germination for continued growth.
• Measure stem length, root length, root development, and fresh biomass at the end of the experiment.
• Schedule:
• Initial setup and sowing at the beginning of the experiment.
• Daily monitoring of germination until emergence.
• Daily monitoring of plant growth after emergence.
• Final measurements, data collection, and analysis at the end of the experiment