Category: Journalist Report

Journalist report 11 Apr 2025
Author: Batoul Tani

Today marked another productive sol for the crew at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), as we continued to advance our scientific objectives under simulated Martian conditions.
Early in the day, a scheduled EVA was carried out under relatively high temperatures. The mission had two primary goals: to collect soil samples from the designated Special Region for Bérengère’s GreenHab experiment, and to inspect and maintain the external equipment for Antoine’s ongoing engineering project. Despite the heat and communication challenges encountered during the EVA, both objectives were successfully accomplished, and the team returned safely to the Hab on schedule.
Bérengère continued her role as GreenHab Officer by planting a new set of fast-germinating crops, like radish sprouts, arugula, cress, and other leafy greens, to monitor early growth patterns in a controlled Martian analog environment. She also continued regular maintenance activities, including watering and development tracking of existing plants.
Meanwhile, Antoine focused on retrieving meteorological data from his external sensor array. This data is vital for assessing environmental variability and ensuring operational safety, particularly in preparation for future EVAs. His engineering experiment also includes long-term monitoring of equipment performance under field conditions similar to those on Mars.
In the Science Dome, Batoul, our crew journalist and science communicator, dedicated the afternoon to creating a new experiment simulating the effects of Martian microgravity.
Throughout the day, our daily scientific protocols continued without disruption. Each crew member follows a rigorous schedule, contributing to a wide range of interdisciplinary experiments that reflect the collaborative and multi-faceted nature of analog missions.
After a productive and challenging day, the crew came together for a group workout session to unwind and relieve the physical and mental tension that had built up throughout the day. It was a moment of camaraderie and relaxation, providing the team with a much-needed break after a day filled with intense tasks and valuable experiences.

Journalist report for the 12 april 2025
Author: Batoul Tani

Today’s operations were marked by a successful EVA, carried out despite strong winds and slightly reduced visibility. The crew proceeded cautiously and managed to explore the region as planned. Additionally, the team used a geological hammer to investigate the terrain and search for potential fossil remains, adding a valuable scientific component to the excursion.
In the Science Dome, Batoul, our Crew Journalist, reached an important step in her microbiological work. Her first sets of bacterial cultures have now completed their treatment phase. She closely monitored the samples throughout the process and will obtain her first results tomorrow, which will help evaluate bacterial survival under simulated Martian conditions.
Bérengère, our GreenHab Officer, dedicated time to plant care and environmental control in the greenhouse. Despite the intense heat inside the GreenHab during the hottest part of the day, she was able to tend to the crops and ensure optimal conditions for plant growth.
For the rest of the crew, the day was relatively calm in terms of experimental activity, with most projects requiring only routine monitoring. Daily tasks were carried out as scheduled, ensuring continuity of data collection and system maintenance. We took advantage of the bad weather to shoot videos for our social media.
Sadly, as the sky was cloudy and the winds were too strong, we didn’t make any observations with the musk observatory.
Overall, the day unfolded smoothly, balancing field exploration and laboratory work, and setting the stage for new results in the coming days.

Crew 314 Journalist report 13-04-2025

Sea of Shells—a location named for its geological past as the floor of an ancient Martian ocean—was the focus of today’s EVA. Four crew members departed the MDRS under the soft light of the Martian morning, their objective both scientific and operational. The site offered an ideal opportunity to collect environmental data and test equipment under field conditions.

Leading the EVA was GreenHab Officer Bérengère Bastogne, whose ongoing research explores the potential interaction between Martian soil and fungal life. Her aim is to assess how fungi might contribute to future life-support systems by facilitating nutrient cycles or soil regeneration on Mars. Today, she successfully collected two soil samples from the Sea of Shells to support this investigation. Accompanying her was Crew Engineer Antoine, who inspected a technical installation exposed to the strong winds of the previous sol to ensure its continued integrity.

The EVA team split into two rover crews, with Béatrice driving Opportunity alongside Antoine, and Bérengère piloting Curiosity with Arnaud, the EVA leader. Early into the drive, Mission Support advised the crew to reduce their speed to preserve battery life. By 10:20, the team had reached their target zone. Due to unexpectedly rapid battery depletion—Opportunity had dropped to 57%—the team made the decision to park earlier than originally planned. They proceeded on foot to complete their tasks, including drone-based aerial photography of the surrounding canyon, which will aid in terrain analysis and documentation.

The return journey was completed without incident, although communications were briefly disrupted between 11:26 and 11:40. Upon regaining signal at the intersection of Cow Dung Road and Galileo Road, the team confirmed the inspection of Antoine’s installation and completed a summary of their findings. Driving duties were rotated: Antoine briefly took over Opportunity, later returning control to Béatrice, while Arnaud drove Curiosity for the full return.

Meanwhile, at the MDRS, the fourth medical emergency simulation was conducted in the Science Dome. This session focused on teamwork, communication, and decision-making under pressure, key elements of Crisis Resource Management. The scenario was led by the female crewmembers, who executed the exercise with confidence and coordination—reinforcing the importance of regular training in isolated environments.

Inside the Hab, regular activities continued efficiently. The arrival of fresh supplies, including eggs, coffee, and red peppers, allowed the crew to prepare a homemade cake for dinner—boosting morale and adding a sense of normalcy. Physical training remained a priority, with biking and strength exercises scheduled as part of daily routines. Bérengère also contributed to team identity by sewing the MDRS logo onto the crew’s flight suits. Health and Safety Officer Odile took time to engage in a creative activity, sketching a peaceful scene to capture the day’s mood and provide a moment of mental relaxation.

Astronomer Louis spent the afternoon working in the observatory, capturing high-resolution images of the sun. He compiled and refined a composite image, continuing his documentation of solar activity from the Martian surface.

Later in the day, the Science Dome experienced a temporary power outage, attributed to an energy overload caused by cloud cover and reduced solar input. As a result, experiments by Bérengère and Batoul were postponed until solar charging resumed. Nevertheless, Batoul continued her sample preparation, adding color markers to aid in future identification and microscopic analysis.

Sol by sol, the mission advances through methodical research, logistical coordination, and shared dedication. While the Martian landscape remains silent and still, it serves as an active laboratory for discovery—one shaped by both science and the human pursuit of knowledge.

Journalist’s report, crew 314, 14Apr2025
Author: Batoul Tani

Today was a productive and eventful day for the crew, marked by scientific progress, exploration, and creative outreach.
Two EVAs were conducted today in support of Louis’s (astronomer) astronomy experiment. These field activities allowed for important data collection and observations under varying environmental conditions. During the EVAs, Antoine (engineer) assessed new potential locations for future installations and successfully removed devices from the initial test site.
Back at the station, Odile dedicated time to communications and content creation. She filmed new footage that will soon be shared with the public : stay tuned!
Batoul(journalist) obtained her first results from her microbiological study and has already observed significant differences between the test conditions. Further analysis is underway, and more detailed results will be communicated shortly.
In the Science Dome, both Bérengère (greenhab officer) and Batoul spent time analyzing samples under the microscope, deepening their understanding of microbial growth and soil interactions.
Bérengère observed the early development of mycelium in her fungal experiment. While spores have yet to appear, these first signs are promising and will be monitored closely in the coming days.
The day also included our daily sports session to stay physically and mentally fit, as well as an evening team meeting to debrief and plan the next activities.

Today’s mission was marked by several key moments, blending science, daily routines, and an emergency scenario.
The day started with an EVA (extravehicular activity) for Bérengère, our GreenHab Officer. She headed out into the field to collect soil samples for our lab analyses. The outing, under clear skies and mild temperatures, went smoothly and allowed us to gather several promising samples.

The night was anything but quiet: a medical emergency simulation was conducted to test our responsiveness under extreme conditions. Despite the darkness, fatigue, and noise, the crew did their best to react efficiently. Odile, our Health and Safety Officer, suddenly woke us up by sounding a training alarm, marking the start of the drill. This test highlighted both our ability to handle stress and a few areas where we can improve our night-time coordination.

In addition to her fieldwork, Bérengère also carried out her tasks in the greenhouse: watering, monitoring plant growth, and managing money as the team’s treasurer.

Today, two Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVAs) were conducted.

The first EVA took place in Condor Chasma and was primarily aimed at collecting soil samples for Bérengère (GreenHab Officer) as part of her ongoing microbiological experiment. The mission went smoothly under favorable weather conditions.

The second EVA, conducted at Skyline Rim, proved to be more challenging due to strong winds which significantly hindered movement and visibility. Despite the adverse conditions, the crew managed to achieve the primary objective: exploring and assessing new terrain that could be suitable for future EVAs.

Meanwhile, in the Science Dome, Batoul (Journalist) analyzed the results of the Bacillus thuringiensis experiment. The initial outcomes appear promising and will undergo further analysis for interpretation. In addition, several other experiments reached completion today, with samples either archived or disposed of in accordance with the established protocols.

In the main habitat, the end of the mission is beginning to be felt. Louis (Astronomer) has started analyzing the data from his observations, and several crew members have begun working on their End of Mission Reports.

In the lab, Bérengère carried out a staining procedure on fungal samples using violet dye to assess germination. The dye improved visibility of the spores under the microscope, and preliminary observations indicate successful germination in some samples.

Despite the difficult weather conditions encountered during the second EVA, the day was productive both in the field and in the laboratory.

Crew 314 Operations Report 17-04-2025

SOL: 11

Name of person filing report: Antoine Dubois (Engineer)

Non-nominal systems :

Tunnel inspection and some damage due to wind.

Suit #3 has been repaired.

Notes on non-nominal systems :

A tunnel inspection was conducted in the early afternoon, and all coverings were found to be in good condition. A second check was carried out at 6:30 PM, during which one tarp near the RAM was found to be damaged. It was reattached, but should be monitored closely in the coming days due to ongoing wind conditions. Approximately 15 zip ties were used to secure other sections of the tunnel, and no additional damage was observed.

Suit #3 : The missing part was hidden at the top of the shelf. The part has been attached to the suit. The suit is operational.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: /

Opportunity rover used: /

Curiosity rover used:

Hours: 310.2 (0,9 used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 50 %

Currently charging:No

Perseverance rover used:

Hours: 320.9 (1 used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 49%

Currently charging: No

General notes on rovers: /

Summary of Hab operations: Over the past 24 hours, we participated in our final medical emergency simulation. The scenario began at midnight, when we were woken by an alarm in the Hab and directed to the GreenHab, where the simulation took place. After completing the exercise, we returned to the Hab for a debriefing session and were back in bed by 1:00 AM.

Later in the day, we spent time cooking, socializing, advancing our experiments, and working on individual reports. We also engaged in physical exercise to maintain our fitness. To conclude the day, we held our regular team meeting to review our progress and plan the tasks ahead.

Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)

Time of measurements (collect data for the same time window): 7 pm
1) Per formula (see notes): 15.03 gallons
2) Smart Home Dashboard (see notes): 19.31 gallons

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 251.35 gallons (per formula) & 260.42 gallons (Smart Home Dashboard)

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): off

Static tank heater (on or off) : off

Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): yes

Summary of internet: Research for experiments, mail, languages learning and music listening.

Summary of suits and radios:

Suits : 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Radio : 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Summary of GreenHab operations:

I watered all the plants with water.

The door of the GreenHab was left open for 4 hours and 30 minutes (9:10 am to 1:40 pm) to reduce the temperature inside (maximum of 94.6 °F).

WATER USE: 9 gallons

Heater (On or Off): Heater on (setup temperature = 72 °F)

Supplemental light (hours of operation): 7-10 pm

Harvest (name, weight in grams):12g of mint, 15 g of parsley

Summary of ScienceDome operations: put notes here:

Staining biofilms with crystal violet

Observing bacteria under microscope

Observation of stained spores

Plantain roots staining to observe the association with arbuscular fungi

Isolation of spores in soil samples to check their viability

Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off): Off

Summary of RAM operations:

Around 15 Zip ties were used to repair the tarps that had been damaged by the wind.

Summary of any observatory issues: No observation today due to bad weather.

Summary of health and safety issues: Everyone was in good health today, with no issues reported. There were no safety concerns to note.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None

Journalist’s report.
Author: Batoul Tani

Today was marked by extreme weather conditions. However, in the morning, an EVA was carried out, specifically the one dedicated to retrieving Antoine’s equipment. Later on, rain and lightning around the station and in the Utah desert made any outdoor activity in the afternoon impossible, making this day particularly memorable in terms of weather. As a result, no EVA will be conducted tomorrow either.
Taking advantage of this forced break, the crew dedicated more time to video documentation, filming longer sequences on the various ongoing experiments.
On the science side, the laboratory work for the microbiology experiment led by Batoul, the crew journalist, was completed today.
Tonight, the final emergency medical simulation was conducted under the supervision of Health and Safety Officer Odile. This time, the scenario involved an imagined smoke-filled Greenhab, adding an extra level of difficulty to the drill.
The physical activity remains intense, especially with the upcoming completion of Béa and Arnaud’s study on the impact of physical exercise on attention. The final questionnaires will be distributed to the crew tomorrow to conclude the experiment, as the last pedal strokes are approaching!
Bérengère, the Greenhab Officer, is now in the final stretch of her experiment, continuing her efforts to meet her objectives before the end of the mission.

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After eating a Denny’s breakfast next to our Grand Junction hotel, our Crew Artist, Crew Health and Safety Officer, Crew Engineer, and Crew Journalist piled into the Chevy Suburban and started our journey to the MDRS. After a quick stop for Terran energy drinks for two crewmembers, we drove on and eventually made it to Utah—stopping to take some pictures of the Welcome to Utah sign at the suggestion of our Commander. The turn onto Cow Dung Road instantly nudged our perspective toward Mars: the vegetation seemed to fade, and the geological plane rose up, cut a new horizon, and faded into pale, sandy white and iron red.

We arrived at the MDRS and found our Crew Commander, who had arrived earlier in his RV, on the upper deck in his flight suit. After our first moment together in person, we used velcro to decorate our flight suits with the patches designed by our Crew Artist. Then we began our afternoon of training—a long stretch during a beautiful cloudless day, one in which the sun lit up the campus’s white buildings. We watered the GreenHab plants together and got familiar with the baffling acoustics of the Science Dome. Our practice EVA took us onto the rovers and out to the site we’ll visit tomorrow in-sim, and we stopped to look at a dramatic nearby dinosaur femur fossil. (And while one rover isn’t usable, the rest were smooth.) The practice EVA ended with an unexpected visit from a sprinter van driver named Bob who was visiting from Saint George. We took advantage of being able to talk to him before going into sim.

Our Crew Artist volunteered first for dinner. While he cooked farfalle with a spiced tomato sauce, our GreenHab officer (me) familiarized herself with the watering cans, and we experienced some power shutdowns and restarts, due the hab’s furnace not accepting the auxiliary generator’s power properly. We don’t know the nature of the furnace problem, though things should be alright in the balmy weather. Now, having written our bios and sent our first reports, we’ll head out to stargaze before crashing after a tiring day.