Author: jburk

Report title: Journalist Report
Crew #: 325
Position: Crew Journalist
Report prepared by: Saranya Ravva
Date: 26Dec2025
Sol: 11

Journalist Report Title (If Applicable) : T-0: Back to Earth

Mars Trivia Question, answer at the end of the report:
How many missions have been sent to Mars so far?

We woke up by 8:00 a.m., and today’s wake-up song was Way Back Home by Shaun, one of Ellenah’s favorites. It is a pleasant, grounding track that personally helped me ease into the day. We gathered around the dining table and were greeted by a fresh loaf of bread baked by Cesare the day before. We spread Nutella, peanut butter, and jelly, made warm breakfast sandwiches, and brewed coffee together.

It was the last sol in simulation, and we all felt it.

We immediately used the communications window to download checkout lists and focus on end-of-mission and research reports. Soon after, it was time to prepare for the final EVA. Cesare, Ellenah, Adrianna, and Isabella suited up while Morgan and I helped with preparations. This EVA had multiple objectives: collecting Garmin biometric data and seashell fossils, while also taking time to simply be present in the landscape. The team set out on foot to the Hab Rim, where they danced, took photos, and soaked in the serenity of the terrain.

Back inside the habitat, the tone shifted toward closure. I found comfort in cleaning, wiping tables, putting things away, sweeping, and mopping floors while listening to energetic music. Isabella helped clean the science dome, carefully storing her experiments, collecting final data, and disposing of trash. With time still available, I swept and mopped the RAM as well, which Ellenah had already organized beautifully.

When the EVA crew returned, everyone joined in. Adrianna took on the massive task of cleaning and inventorying the entire GreenHab on her own, doing a phenomenal job. Morgan handled rover shutdowns, engineering operations, and helped keep the habitat’s lower deck organized. Our Commander, Cesare, ensured that all rock samples collected for his in-situ geology project were packed properly, checked every station unit, and worked through the final checklist with the confidence that comes from many rotations at MDRS.

With about 15 minutes remaining in simulation, reality began to sink in. Adrianna, Isabella, and I challenged ourselves to quickly pack our personal belongings. At T-3 minutes to Earth, we gathered on the lower deck. Cesare gave us the honor of entering the airlock first.

At exactly 1300 MT, the main airlock hatch opened.

Sergii, mission support and MDRS director, welcomed us back with cheers, laughter, high-fives, and a video recording. It was cold, bright, and incredibly real. After 11 sols of simulation, stepping back onto Earth felt both surreal and deeply satisfying. Time flew by, but breathing Earth air again felt unmistakably different.

I still cannot believe it has been 11 sols.

Trivia Answer:
More than 50 missions have been sent to Mars so far by various space agencies, including orbiters, landers, and rovers. While many early missions failed, modern missions have dramatically improved success rates, providing detailed data about Mars’s surface, atmosphere, geology, and potential for past habitability.

Goodbye and sayonara, Mars. For now.

Report title: Journalist Report
Crew #: 325
Position: Crew Journalist
Report prepared by: Saranya Ravva
Date: 25Dec2025
Sol: 10

Journalist Report Title (If Applicable) : Merry Windy Martian Christmas!

Mars Trivia Question, answer at the end of the report:
How long is a year on Mars compared to Earth?

Sol 10 began the night before, on Christmas Eve. Once the communications window closed, we all bundled up near the bean bags, fully embracing the holiday spirit in our Christmas pajamas. Movie night followed, and somewhere between the warmth, the full stomachs from dinner, and the soft glow of the screen, some of us drifted off to sleep. It was cozy, calm, and exactly what we needed.

When I woke up in the morning, I noticed strong winds and the sound of rain. I stepped into the living room to check the weather station and ran into Adrianna. We paused for a moment, listening to the storm and appreciating how beautiful and intense the sounds of nature were. We wished each other Merry Christmas, our first one on Mars.

Christmas morning unfolded gently. Cards, small gifts, and food slowly filled the dining table as we gathered together. We played White Elephant, laughing as we chose and swapped gifts, and it felt like everyone walked away happy with what they ended up with. Shortly after, we received approval for our EVA request, which meant we would be exploring Martian terrain on Christmas Day. The winds were still strong, so safety stayed at the forefront of every decision.

Soon, it was time for EVA prep. Morgan, Isabella, and I were assigned to explore Candor Chasma, a route without large equipment requirements that allowed us to focus on Garmin biometric data collection. This EVA also marked the final EVA of the mission for Morgan and me, so we turned up the energy during suit-up, playing classic songs, dancing a little, and hyping each other up to calm the nerves before heading into the wind.

Once outside, the conditions were intense. Even in suits weighing over 20 pounds, the wind made us feel almost weightless at times. Morgan and Isabella drove initially while I rode passenger, gripping the rover, map in hand, chin tucked into my suit to stay steady. The first half of the drive followed the same Galileo Road route Isabella and I had taken back on Sol 3, already familiar and still intimidating. The second half toward the chasma was even rougher. The wind, the terrain, and the navigation combined into a full adrenaline experience.

At the gateway to Candor Chasma, the rover path ended. We parked and continued on foot. The three of us set out with determination, curiosity as our bread and. I brought my DSLR, which turned out to be the best decision of the day. I captured hundreds of photos of the chasma, its rock formations, winding paths, and layered terrain as we hiked deeper.

After about two miles, we checked our distance and decided to push another half mile before turning back, knowing we had to retrace the same route. At around 2.5 miles, it felt like we had nearly reached the end of the chasma. Turning back felt satisfying, not disappointing. It felt like we had walked into something vast enough that it could go on forever.

The return hike was demanding. We took short two to three minute breaks to loosen up our shoulders from the suits. To distract ourselves, we started fantasizing about hot dogs, frosties, milkshakes, and all kinds of comfort food. I caught myself wondering if there was a way to sneak a hydration jacket into an EVA suit, something I rely on during long runs back on Earth.

Despite the fatigue, there was peace in the moment. Wind, sand, and air moved around us as we walked. With a crew that is adventurous, quick-witted, cautious, and deeply supportive, hiking over five miles felt challenging but grounding. When we reached the end of our route, Isabella and I danced for about ten seconds to celebrate before quickly conserving energy and heading back to the rovers.

Morgan and I drove on the return trip. Navigating the bumpy, curving roads with strong winds forced me to face some mental blocks about driving in harsh conditions. It was mentally challenging and unexpectedly liberating. We returned to the habitat with ten minutes left in our EVA window, parked quickly, and made it into the airlock with seven minutes to spare and depressurizing takes 5 mines so that was great timing.

Inside, Adrianna who was our HabCom greeted us with water bottles ready and food waiting. Entering the living quarters felt incredible. We immediately refueled with mac and cheese made from dehydrated cheddar, multiple pasta shapes, and cobbler for dessert. It hit every comfort-food note perfectly. Hot showers followed, which felt heavenly, though the soreness began creeping in soon after. Electrolytes, bean bags, and another Christmas movie helped ease us into the evening.

Later, I helped with dinner, baking biscuits and instant potatoes while Morgan prepared a comforting vegetable soup. Cake appeared for dessert, and once again, Christmas on Mars felt warm, full, and shared. Still, Mars does not pause. After about thirty minutes of chatting and eating, we transitioned back into reality with report writing, dishes, cleaning, and closing out the day.

We hope to end the night watching White Christmas, celebrating the holiday in our own Martian way.

Trivia Answer:
A year on Mars lasts about 687 Earth days, which is nearly twice as long as an Earth year. This is because Mars orbits farther from the Sun and takes longer to complete one full revolution around it.

Sol 10 complete. Christmas on Mars was windy, demanding, unforgettable, and deeply human.