Author: jburk

Report title: Journalist Report
Crew #: 326
Position: Crew Journalist
Report prepared by: Daria Bardus
Date: 30-12-2025
Sol: 2
Journalist Report Title: Collecting Rocks
We started the morning by waking up to the smell of blueberry pancakes and spacon. After eating a delicious meal Keegan prepared Ben, Armand, and I got ready for our EVA of the day. Once we had our flight suits on, we all made sure that we were “snatched” before getting on the rest of the gear. After yesterday’s EVAs, we were all much quicker at getting our gear on. While out on EVA we walked from the hab to Hab’s Ridge so Ben could collect rock samples, Armand could observe how we react to certain challenges we faced while out on EVA, and I could work on finding the best way of taking photos while all geared up. After Ben got his samples, we all sat down for a bit to relieve our backs of the weight. As we made our way back, we realized we were not sure of where to make a turn to go down the ridge. This taught us an important lesson in navigation, how to use a compass, and paying attention to your surroundings so you can find landmarks.
While Ben, Armand, and I were out on EVA, the others worked on cleaning up breakfast before beginning their work for the day. After individual crew role responsibilities were complete, Idris and Vindhya worked on their research projects. Idris was able to finish setting up her sensors so she can hopefully start collecting data tomorrow. Vindhya worked on the code for the linear actuator and was able to verify the feasibility of our research. After that a chicken and rice soup was prepared for lunch.
Once we got back from EVA and we drank an enormous amount of water, we all sat down for lunch. During lunch Katharina gave all of us massages to help relieve us of the stresses that have been on our shoulders the past couple days. After lunch a few rounds of Clue were played and then we all took some time to rest from the exhausting day before dinner. Once dinner was prepared, we sat around the table together to eat before getting the rest of our work done. The rest of the night will include drinking coffee, working more on the rover, and playing more games before heading to bed.

Crew 319

Position: Crew Journalist

Report prepared by: Mackenzie Calle

Date: 13-10-2025

Sol: 2

Crew had a successful evening of Sol 1 and Sol 2! Highlighted by Shriya cooking a magnificent one pot egg pulao, a classic that she makes for herself and her family, and now us here at MDRS! We are starting to adapt to life on the red planet, beginning the mornings with crew meetings that delve into the day’s plans and the necessary experiments. We then drink as much coffee as we feel comfortable rationing at this point (except Ricardo who is going caffeine free!), do some stretching, and eat light breakfasts.

We are missing Elias, our Health & Safety Officer, who was not ultimately able to make the mission. He is absolutely with us in spirit as well as in the form of an incredible green squishy duck that we picked up on our way from Salt Lake City to MDRS. Duck Elias is a very calming presence for the crew and so beloved, as is real Elias. In his absence, Crew Scientist Shriya has stepped up and broadly taken on the role, alongside our Commander Rym Chaid.

The entire crew helped set up Spaceseed today, one of the World’s Biggest Analog (WBA) experiments. It has been a true labor of love and took up most of the day to get it up and running. Well, as I write this it is almost set up and will be completed tonight. Excited to begin collecting this data tomorrow.

Crew Engineer Ricardo J. Gonzalez is now approved to operate the telescopes and our crew is planning astronomy proposals to capture celestial images. We are also planning our first EVA for tomorrow and the crew is excited to begin exploring and familiarizing ourselves with the spacesuits and the Martian terrain!

Journalist Report

Crew 319

Position: Crew Journalist

Report prepared by: Mackenzie Calle

Date: 13-10-2025

Sol: 1

Report from Sol 0 evening and Sol 1

Crew embarked on a night EVA to capture media assets on Sol 0 departing at 9:30PM and returning at approximately 11PM. Photo assets were captured by Mackenzie Calle and Rym Chaid. It was incredibly successful with stunning night images and crew felt thrilled (but tired) after returning to the hab. Crew was primarily directly behind the hab near ridge where the satellite device sits.

Between 1:45-3:30AM crew participated in the World’s Biggest Analog Opening Ceremony, joining the 15 other habitats participating to officially kick-off the WBA. We enjoyed seeing the other habs participating.

Due to the late night we had a later start today at 9AM. Crew set out our goals for the day and completed all pre-mission surveys as well as Sol 1 surveys. We also familiarized ourselves significantly more with the hab and facilities.

As journalist I spent time walking around each space and brainstorming photo ideas as well as capturing images of the facilities, crew, and Martian landscape.