Author: jburk

Report title: Journalist Report
Crew #: 326
Position: Crew Journalist
Report prepared by: Daria Bardus
Date: 01-02-2026
Sol: 5
Journalist Report Title: Terraforming Mars
For breakfast we had cinnamon and nutmeg pancakes before getting ready for the first EVA. The first EVA was going to be Ben, Armand, and Keegan going to Candor Chasma to collect more soil samples, however due to bad weather we decided to switch the EVAs. This means that Vindhya, Katharina, and I had to quickly get ourselves ready and all our equipment ready quickly and go on EVA. While on EVA Vindhya and I tried to collect data on the rover, although due to ports getting dirt in them, we could not connect the components correctly. For the rest of the time, we helped Kathrina collect data for her research project around the hab. Also, due to the bed weather the second EVA was cancelled.
While we were out on EVA, some people took showers, and once we got back we also took showers. I can now say the hab smells better. Also, during and after EVA people worked on their daily responsibilities. Later, Keegan, Ben, Idris, and I played Terraforming Mars for four hours before Keegan won the game by far with 99 points. Afterwards, we all went our separate ways and relaxed before working on our reports and making breakfast for dinner, which will include more pancakes and Spacon. The rest of the night will consist of eating dinner, working on projects, and hanging out before going to bed.

Report title: Journalist Report
Crew #: 326
Position: Crew Journalist
Report prepared by: Daria Bardus
Date: 01-01-2026
Sol: 4
Journalist Report Title: Peanut Butter and The Salsa Saga
After a late night celebrating the new year we all took the morning to sleep and rest before starting the day. After a peaceful morning, we finished getting ourselves ready before preparing for the EVA of the day. On this EVA Idris, Katharina, and Armand went to conduct their respective research projects on Hab Ridge. Idris placed more sensors, Kathrina attempted to collect data but had issues, and Armand continued to record problems and how they were resolved while out on EVA. During the EVA the three of them took a break to rest and eat before coming back to the hab. During this time Ben, Keegan, Vindhya, and I were back at the hab doing work and playing games while monitoring them on EVA. However, when they were passing out these snacks all we could hear on the comms from Katharina was “Not the peanut butter. Not the peanut butter! ANYTHING BUT THE PEANUT BUTTER!” leading us to all be confused until we got an explanation later when they came back. What we found out was that Katharina was accidentally on channel one and Idris was trying to hand her a peanut butter bar and she doesn’t like peanut butter at all.
While back at the hab, we worked on our research projects and got done our daily responsibilities before playing some games. Ben was able to do a stress test on his bricks and collect data. Vindhya and I were able to finish the rover and are now going to begin collecting data on the sample collection capabilities tomorrow. Lastly, Keegan was able to finish scheduling the rest of the EVAs for this rotation. After we all finished our work, we sat down and played a few rounds of Clue before beginning dinner.
For dinner we decided to make taco bowls where we prepared something that was supposed to be tortilla chips to dip in some salsa, beans, rice, and we harvested lettuce. However, when opening a new jar of salsa, I spilled salsa all over the kitchen leading to getting out baby wipes and thoroughly cleaning the kitchen area. This event was deemed The Salsa Saga. After cleaning up we all sat down to finish our reports, plan out tomorrow, and play some more games before going to bed.

Report title: Journalist Report

Crew #: 326
Position: Crew Journalist
Report prepared by: Daria Bardus
Date: 05-01-2026
Sol: 7

Journalist Report Title: Orange Delight and Our Addiction
After another late-night of Terraforming Mars where the whole crew played and Keegan won yet again, we all finally went to bed before getting up for a busy day. We started this morning by getting up and eating apple cinnamon pancakes and preparing the rover for today’s EVA. Today, Keegan, Vindhya, and I drove to White Rock Canyon to try and collect more dirt samples. Although, due to high wind speeds not long after arriving we had to turn back, meaning we could not collect samples today. However, we are planning on going back another day. Also, during EVA Vindhya and I struggled with releasing the park break on Curiosity, however whenever Keegan gave it a try, he got it down with no problem. Vindhya and I are still confused about why we could not release the break and have chosen to believe Keegan has magic.
Once we got back to the hab we ate lunch and played some chess before taking some time to rest. The rest of the day was not very eventful. We all just ended up getting some work done and playing games before dinner. For dinner today we had orange chicken and rice. Now you may be asking yourself how we made orange chicken without oranges. Idris ended up using orange delight drink mix to make the sauce, our favorite drink. To be clear, that is sarcasm, no one except maybe Keegan is a fan of “the orange drink."
Today we have not played a round of Terraforming Mars, however our addiction to the game might get the better of us. More to come on that tomorrow. The rest of the evening will consist of us getting some more work done, playing games, including guessing everyone’s favorite songs, and hopefully an early night.