Sol Summary – April 28th

CREW 315 SOL SUMMARY REPORT 28-04-2025

Sol: 8

Summary Title: Fixing and Flying

Author’s Name: David Laude, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal. All systems operational.

Sol Activity Summary:

Once gathered around the table, the same enthusiasm for the day ahead was apparent in all the crew. The low murmur of conversation grew into lively chatter. It was a small thing, these breakfasts together, but it anchored us — a ritual that made the vast, lonely landscape outside feel a little less distant.

It had been an unusual week on Mars. Clouds, rare and almost otherworldly themselves, had drifted across the ochre skies for days now, muting the sun and casting long, strange shadows over the base. The crew sometimes found themselves pausing by the narrow observation windows to watch them: delicate, silver-grey wisps that seemed almost painted onto the sky.
Normally, the Martian nights were clear and sharp, the stars cutting through the blackness like shards of crystal. But lately, the clouds had stubbornly lingered into the evening, hiding the heavens from view. They spoke often of it at the table — the longing to see the cosmos laid bare again, to look through the small portals overhead and be reminded of the vastness beyond.
Tonight, they all hoped, would be different. A clear night had been forecasted, and with it, the chance to gather again after dinner, standing shoulder to shoulder beneath the stars, looking up at the same universe they had once only dreamed of touching.

Michael and Tim ventured just outside the hab in their EVA suits, the familiar hiss and click of the airlock sealing behind them. The Martian dust, kicked up by days of unsettled weather, hung faintly in the thin air. Their boots crunched lightly against the regolith as they made their way toward the tunnel — the long, flexible connector that linked the main habitat to the other modules.

Over the past few days, the shifting temperatures and unexpected winds had strained some of the tunnel’s coverings. It wasn’t a critical failure yet, but even a small breach could quickly escalate in this harsh environment. Above them, the clouds continued to swirl, casting strange patterns across the barren ground. Inside their helmets, they could hear each other’s breathing and the occasional crackle of radio chatter — small reminders of their isolation, and of the teamwork that kept them alive out here, far from home.
Inside the hab, while the others toiled elsewhere, Tim was busy preparing dinner — a humble but comforting meal of beans, macaroni, and cheese. The small galley hummed with the familiar sounds of cooking: the soft bubbling of the pot, the occasional clatter of utensils, and the low whir of the water recycler working steadily in the background.
Tim moved with an easy rhythm, a veteran of many such dinners on Mars. Supplies had to be stretched carefully here, and improvisation was almost an art form. He stirred the beans in a battered steel pan, glancing occasionally at the clock. The macaroni simmered alongside, softening into a creamy, cheesy mass. He knew how much these shared meals mattered — how food had become more than just fuel out here. It was connection. It was memory. It was home, carved out of a place that didn’t naturally offer it.
Dave and Koi spent part of the afternoon conducting drone flight tests, both in and out of their EVA suits, part of an ongoing experiment to assess how the bulky gear affected fine motor skills and control precision. The drones dipped and weaved, responding with sharp, near-instantaneous feedback. Without EVA suits the flights were well controlled and accurate. With EVA suits on there were some visibility issues of the drone and of the FPV display, the later being washed out from ambient light. Gloves contributed to poorer precision.

Dave, Koi, and Elena set out just after midday in their EVA suits as they made their way toward Galileo Road. The narrow track, little more than a worn path across the regolith, led them toward Compass Rock — a massive, cone shaped outcrop that jutted out of the flat landscape like a broken tooth, visible even from kilometers away. The walk was steady but cautious. Their radios buzzed occasionally with check-ins back to the hab, but otherwise, the world around them was silent — only the faint crunch of their boots against the dust marked their passage.

When they reached their launch site — a relatively flat clearing about 300 meters from the base of Compass Rock — they paused to set up. The machine was small, sturdy, and adapted for thin atmospheres, its rotors a little oversized to handle the weak Martian air. The drone lifted off with a faint hum, wobbling for just a moment before stabilizing. Koi’s gloved hands moved smoothly over the controls, and the drone climbed higher, tilting toward Compass Rock. Koi skillfully piloted the drone forward, drawing it in a slow, sweeping arc around the ancient formation. As it circled, the drone’s high-definition camera captured every angle — the craggy fissures, the wind-scoured face of the stone, the patterns etched by centuries of harsh Martian weather. After nearly twenty minutes of circling and scanning, Koi guided the drone back, letting it descend in a careful spiral until it touched down softly near their feet. With the drone safely stowed and the data secured, they turned back toward Cow Dung Road, Compass Rock shrinking behind them as they made their way home.

LOOK AHEAD PLAN:

Walking EVA in morning to nearby ridge west of North Ridge with Michael, Koi and Elena.

Afternoon EVA to make final attempt to fly drone close to Monolith on this mission after having determined its position on map and plotted a course to it.

Artist will contribute to daily Hab activities.

More delicious food making.

Anomalies in Work: None

Weather: Temperature: 62º, 1500; Sky: Partly Cloudy, 1500; Gust: 15 mph; 1500; Wind:6 mph; 1500

Crew Physical Status: All in Good Health + Spirits

EVAs Completed:

EVA 14: 1010-11:58

Purpose: The crew was to explore the area surrounding the station and accomplish the following objectives:

· Scanned a rock sample with a constructed shroud out on EVA.

· Crew Artist took photos for more artwork and sketches to be composed post-mission.

· Repaired some tunnel tarp rips from the exterior surface.

Destination: Area around Hab

Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84) : Easting 518200, Northing 4251000
EVA Participants : David Laude (Commander), Urban Koi (HSO)

EVA 15: 1400-1800

Purpose: Fly drone from observatory no flight suit on specific pattern and compare performance to with flight suit. Go to Galileo Rd and from ridge before drop fly drone while on EVA and take photos of all sides of Compass Rock.

Destination: See above

Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 4252100N, 519000W

EVA Participants: Michael Andrews (Crew Engineer and EVA Lead) and Tim Gagnon (Crew Artist)

Reports to Be Filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Crew Photos, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, EVA reports, EVA Request(s)

Support Requested: None at this time.

Journalist Report – April 30th

Journalist report sol 10

We’re in the Stargate scene of 2001, in which the mission seems to be moving both slowly and at warp speed as we careen toward sol 13 and our flights out of Grand Junction—or, for our Commander, the drive out in the RV. Today got appropriately stormy after 2pm, which messed with our wifi and made everything feel more at the mercy of the planet’s whims. (Not much compared to a dust storm.)

Two EVAs took most of us to Candor Chasma, where first our Engineer and HSO made a powerful technological collaboration happen: a drone flight that captured the engineer while he 3D scanned rocks and uploaded them to the cloud with Starlink. At the end of their EVA, our Crew Artist joined them outside to recreate the famous Alan Shepard golf photo, using a club constructed by the Engineer with a broom handle and duct tape. On the second EVA, the Commander and Journalist also headed to Candor Chasma. They ventured in for their projects but also paid attention to some odd, marble-like rock (gypsum?) and a plant whose seed pods looked like desert grapes. Meanwhile, the Engineer seemed to fix everything at the Hab, including an airlock door bolt and malfunctioning suits.

Knowing that we’ll start tearing down the GreenHab tomorrow, the Journalist/GreenHab officer snipped the microgreens and herbs to spare. Those went with chicken salad on leftover and only slightly stale tortillas, and our HSO made another experimental fruit bread—strawberry, very successfully. We also have funfetti cake and brownies, and there may be another dessert prepared tomorrow. We have to “leave it all on the floor.”

Operations Report – April 30th

Crew 315 Operations Report 30-04-2025

SOL: 10

Name of person filing report: Michael Andrews

Non-nominal systems: Catalytic Heater

Notes on non-nominal systems:

· (Bonus project) The catalytic heater near the exercise bike in the habitat does not work. It’s an engineering project to see if this can get properly started during this mission. Barring any more impactful repairs needed, this project will be worked tomorrow.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: No

Opportunity rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: No

Curiosity rover used: Yes

Hours: 317.8 hours (0.5 hours used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 83%

Currently charging: No

Perseverance rover used: Yes

Hours: 356.8 hours (0.9 hours used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 59%

Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: None

Summary of Hab operations: Performed two EVAs, made our own breakfasts, made strawberry shortcake bread and Funfetti cake, watched some TV shows together.

Water Use

Time of measurements: 1845
1) Per formula: 24.51 gallons
2) Smart Home Dashboard: 26.25 gallons

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 200.38 gallons

Static tank pipe heater: Off

Static tank heater: Off

Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of internet: Used to complete reports, learn languages, share team photos via Google drive, researching projects, and complete professional work.

Summary of suits and radios:

· EVA 18: Suits 9, 11 and Radios 3, 4

· EVA 19: Suits 7, 9 and Radios 2, 3

Summary of GreenHab operations: Watered plants and fungal project, harvested microgreens and herbs for dinner.

WATER USE: 10 gallons

Heater: On

Supplemental light: Off

Harvest (name, weight in grams): microgreens, herbs, and tomatoes (150g)

Summary of ScienceDome operations: None

Dual split: Off

Summary of RAM operations:

· Space Suit Repair: Suit #1’s inoperable battery life screen was fixed just by fixing some loose wires inside the suit’s pelican case, and Suit #5’s noisy fan was fixed with a good dose of canned air to the fan. As of now, all space suits are operational and repaired.

· Tunnel Repair: No major tunnel repairs to the tarp or zip ties were needed.

· Rear Airlock Door: The sliding bolt mechanism for the door has always been finicky and I wanted to upgrade it today. I added some eyelets to the bolt’s path and relocated the handle. It now slides only left to right instead of all over the place.

Summary of any observatory issues: None

Summary of health and safety issues: None

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Where is the personal gas monitor located? Tomorrow afternoon looks like a good time to work on the catalytic heater!

Operations Report – April 27th

Crew 315 Operations Report 27-04-2025

SOL: 7

Name of person filing report: Michael Andrews

Non-nominal systems: Suit Chargers (In General), Catalytic Heater, ScienceDome Radio Charger, Shower Hose

Notes on non-nominal systems:

· (Unresolved from yesterday) It was noted that Suit #7 wasn’t charging on the first day of EVAs, but further diagnosis from the Commander has isolated the issue to the #7 charger. Today, I noticed that Suit 10’s battery (my suit!) had not charged overnight. I am bumping this up in priority to resolve tomorrow afternoon.

· (Bonus project) The catalytic heater near the exercise bike in the habitat does not work. It’s an engineering project to see if this can get properly started during this mission.

· (Unresolved from yesterday) The ScienceDome radio chargers do not work. Mission support mentioned how this is a known issue. Radios will be swapped between the two structures, and I will disassemble the charger tomorrow.

· (New Project): The Commander noticed that the shower hose was leaking and spraying excess water. He tightened it and resolved about 80% of the leakage, but I’d like to take apart the system and remove the other 20% with plumber’s tape.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: No

Opportunity rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: No

Curiosity rover used: Yes

Hours: 315.8 hours (0.7 hours used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 50%

Currently charging: No

Perseverance rover used: Yes

Hours: 331.0 hours (1.1 hours used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 39%

Currently charging: No

General notes on rovers: None

Summary of Hab operations: The team made egg cups for breakfast, apple cinnamon bread, and kanji with spam and glaze. Module 6 of the 100cameras project was completed. The team mainly stayed inside to weather out the day’s high winds.

Water Use

Time of measurements: 1945
1) Per formula: 24.51 gallons
2) Smart Home Dashboard: 30 galons

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 278.80 gallons

Static tank pipe heater: No

Static tank heater: No

Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): Yes

Summary of internet: Used to complete reports, learn languages, share team photos via Google drive, researching projects, and complete professional work.

Summary of suits and radios:

· EVA 12: Suits 7, 10 and Radios 1, 4

· EVA 13: Suits 9, 10 and Radios 3, 4

Summary of GreenHab operations: The Crew Journalist watered the plants, harvested some chives, and set out soil samples to dry on the bench.

WATER USE: 8.0 gallons

Heater: On

Supplemental light: 1900-2200

Harvest: 20g chives

Summary of ScienceDome operations: The Crew Journalist worked on her desiccated soil experiment samples this afternoon and the Crew Artist used the ‘Dome for sketching and journaling.

Dual split: Off

Summary of RAM operations: not many operations as I did double-EVAs, but I do have quite a bit of engineering debt to focus on tomorrow afternoon, as mentioned by the off-nominal systems above.

· Tunnel Zip Ties: the recent high winds have worn down the tunnel components more than normal. 14 zip ties were consumed from the RAM to repair the tunnel, and snips were used to trip them to size. Future work is needed on EVA #14 to patch some pre-existing holes in the tarp with duct tape from both sides.

Summary of any observatory issues: None

Summary of health and safety issues: None

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: I did notice that the electrical conduit in the airlock runs over the American flag that is painted on the wall. The conduit has some flexibility in it, and I would like to try to unbolt it from the wall and re-route around the flag so it’s not obstructed. I believe this can be done without pulling on the conduit or editing it. However, I would like to get alignment before I tried that.

EVA Report – April 27th

Crew 315 EVA Report 27-04-2025

EVA # 12

Author: David Laude

Purpose of EVA: Into Lith Canyon area to access higher vantage point on ridge to view the Monolith as seen by Commander in previous missions. This is needed as a final compass reading for triangulation of it.

Start time: 0932

End time: 1225

Narrative: We arrived at closet point to ridge we wanted to access and hiked up to top. The Monolith was in view. Sometimes it was barely visible, blending into back ground color while other times black. Took azimuth reading, 303 degrees magnetic, and the last we need to triangulate position on map. We also found Monolith ceremonial artifacts or so it seems! We found three short (2-3 feet) purposely erected vertical stone monoliths along the ridge line where the Monolith is easily seen.

Destination: Lith Canyon:

Coordinates: 4257000N, 519000W

Participants: David Laude (Commander) and Michael Andrews (Engineer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Exit MDRS onto Cow Dung Road, then take a left to head North. We will proceed until Lith Canyon side road on left.

Mode of travel: Curiosity and foot.

EVA Report – April 27th

Crew 315 EVA Report 27-04-2025

EVA # 13

Author: Michael Andrews

Purpose of EVA: Gather rock samples at the Skyline Rim for 3D scanning and attempt to find new views of the Monolith to take compass headings.

Start time: 1400

End time: 1605

Narrative: The EVA crew departed the airlock right on time, aware that high winds could abort the mission at any time. As a result, we promptly departed the station and proceeded to the destination with no delays. HSO Koi snapped photos of the terrain on the way in the passenger seat while Engineer Andrews drove.

As we approached the Overlook, the terrain changed from the red Martian terrain to more of a gray prairie. The road was flat and rolling, allowing us to keep the pedal to the metal. We reached the destination in about 25 minutes and set out on foot.

The Skyline View location is the foot of a cliff face, with several washout areas to explore. Although the area was unique, many of the rocks were similar to those scanned from previous missions, so none were collected. Andrews did take a photo for Crew Artist Gagnon of HSO Koi emulating one of his favorite Apollo paintings.

Upon parking at this site, we did notice a van parked there. At first we attempted to keep our distance, but as we headed back to our rover, one of the Martian “aliens” ran up to us and attempted to communicate. We realized their van was stuck in the soft sand near the cliff face, and they were looking for help. Engineer Andrews assured them that we would send help and gathered their information, and HSO Koi radio’ed CapComm to ask for Mission Support to head over to assist.

With the area fully explored and help on the way, we left the site and returned to the station – entering the airlock at 1605.

Destination: Skyline Rim

Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): Easting 515400, Northing 4251500

EVA Participants: Michael Andrews (EVA Lead) and Urban Koi (HSO)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Exited MDRS onto Cow Dung Road, then traveled north until reaching Brahe Hwy. Turned left on Brahe Hwy and proceed until reaching Copernicus Hwy, then took another left. Proceeded along Brahe Hwy until Sagan Hwy, then took a left. The road ended at Skyline Rim. The route was repeated in reverse on the return trip.

Mode of travel: Rover was be used to travel to the destination above, and the EVA team walked around each site on foot, never traveling more than 1 kilometer away from the rover.

GreenHab Report – April 27th

Crew 315 GreenHab Report 27-04-2025

GreenHab Officer: Elena Saavedra Buckley

Environmental control (fan & heater): On

Average temperatures (last 24h): 82.95

Maximum temperature (last 24h): 94.8

Minimum temperature (last 24h): 71.1

Hours of supplemental light: 7-10pm

Daily water usage for crops: 8 gal

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 800ml for soil project, misting mushrooms

Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 120.3 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 8am / 5pm

Changes to crops: Minor drooping

Narrative: I watered the plants a bit less today considering that they’ll be torn down soon. I also set out my soil samples to dry on the bench!

Harvest: 20g chives

Support/supplies needed: None

GreenHab Report – April 26h

Crew 315 GreenHab Report 26-04-2025

GreenHab Officer: Elena Saavedra Buckley

Environmental control (fan & heater): On

Average temperatures (last 24h): 90

Maximum temperature (last 24h): 109.8

Minimum temperature (last 24h): 72.9

Hours of supplemental light: 7-10pm

Daily water usage for crops: 10 gal

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: Misting the mushrooms

Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 128.3 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 8:30am / 8:15pm

Changes to crops: None other than looking a little parched

Narrative: We had another big heat spike in the GreenHab today, so I left the door open for quite a while around 5pm. Sorry about this—it’s tough to monitor the temperature when it spikes quickly in the afternoon, but we can try to keep an eye on the Smart Home program more consistently. The remaining vegetables seem a little shriveled, but I’ll give the beets a shot tomorrow.

Harvest: 7g basil

Support/supplies needed: None

Sol Summary – April 26th

CREW 315 SOL SUMMARY REPORT 26-04-2025

Sol: 5

Summary Title: What We Have Lost, Found, and Dared to Imagine on the Red Planet

Author’s Name: Urban Koi, HSO

Mission Status: Nominal. All systems operational.

Sol Activity Summary:

Sol 5 began under a pristine, cloudless sky, the vast Martian expanse stretching endlessly, bathed in the soft clarity of early morning light. Crew Phoenix rose super early, a choice that proved wise, for soon after, the winds began their relentless ascent-gusts that would have made any subsequent EVA a no-go. In those quiet, cool hours before the tempest, the day’s great journey unfolded.

The Millennial EVA team—Crew Engineer, Journalist, and HSO—set forth with purpose, their rovers carving a path across the burnt orange dust and shadowed dunes. The goals were clear: to test the Crew Engineer’s Starlink connection at the edge of the Moon Overlook and conduct 3D scanning for his project, visit one of the HSO’s favorite locations which she unofficially calls the “Red Peaks” area, and push the HSO’s drone to its limits, seeking the distant Monolith that the Commander holds dear. The wind, however, had its own agenda. As the drone soared in “Sport Mode,” it drank greedily from its battery, the gusts tugging at its wings and draining its power with every meter gained.

Suddenly, the drone’s journey ended with a forced landing—approximately 650 meters from its launch site, lost amidst thousands of indistinguishable hills in the Moon Overlook. Only a single, black and white image remained: a landscape of gray dunes, as anonymous as the Martian silence itself. Yet adversity breeds resolve. The crew fanned out, boots pressing new stories into the dust, eyes scanning the endless sameness. Guided by GPS, persistence, and a measure of hope, the HSO pressed on. At last, she found her drone—its return a small hard-won victory, a testament to determination and the courage of not giving up.

The wind howled as the team returned, thirty minutes ahead of schedule—a mark of their growing efficiency and unity. Inside the habitat, warmth and welcome awaited. The Crew Artist, ever the alchemist of comfort, had conjured a circle of chocolate chip oatmeal bars, their aroma a balm against the Martian chill. The Journalist also spiced up some savory tuna melts, a growing comfort food for many crew members. The crew gathered, laughter and gratitude mingling with crumbs and stories.

As they indulged, the Commander led a Show & Tell, a journey through the relics of his career as a microelectronics engineer. Circuit boards, transistors, a stack of floppy discs and punch cards were passed around—artifacts from his college days, now illuminated by the pink-tinged light of a distant world. Reflection deepened. Module 5 of the 100cameras Curriculum invited each crew member to look inward, to consider how they see themselves, now, in the future, and within their community. The exercise and journaling were noted to be not easy tasks for some; self-portraiture through nature and our otherworldly environment taps into our psyche and imagination in profound ways. The Commander, pensive, admitted he had never considered these questions or perspectives through the lens of photography before.

We concluded our day with a satisfying plate of spaghetti and biscuits, while watching an episode of Moonbase 8. The day’s wind may have scattered dust and challenged machines, but it also carried something intangible: the memory of perseverance, the sweetness of union, and the quiet, ongoing work of self-discovery. As the Martian night settles, we rest changed, if only a little, by what we have lost, found, and dared to imagine on the Red Planet.

LOOK AHEAD PLAN:

Anomalies in Work: Drone fighting the tempest.

Weather: Temperature: 71º, 0930; Sky: Clear Sky, 0930; Gust: 23 mph; 0930; Wind: 12 mph, 0930

Crew Physical Status: All in Good Health + Spirits

EVAs to Be Completed:

EVA 12: 0930-1230
Purpose: Explore Lith Canyon area to access higher vantage point on ridge to view the Monolith as seen by Commander in previous missions. This is needed as a final compass reading for triangulation of it.
Destination: Lith Canyon
Coordinates (UTM WSG 84): Lith Canyon: 4257000N, 519000W
EVA Participants: David Laude (Commander), Michael Andrews (Engineer)

EVA 13: 1400-1730
Purpose: Gather rock samples at the Skyline Rim for 3D scanning and attempt to find new views of the Monolith to take compass headings.
Destination: Skyline Rim
Coordinates (UTM WSG 84): 515400E, 4251500N
EVA Participants: Michael Andrews (Engineer), Urban Koi (HSO)

Reports to Be Filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Crew Photos, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, EVA reports, EVA Request(s)

Support Requested: None at this time.

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