Category: Journalist Report

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.

Journalist’s report
Author: Batoul Tani

On the final day of the mission, the crew carried out their activities with a sense of nostalgia, fully aware that the adventure was drawing to a close. The day was largely dedicated to cleaning and carefully organizing the experimental equipment, ensuring everything was properly stored and documented.
Despite the end approaching, creativity and motivation remained high. More video footage was captured—including a humorous “spoiler alert” segment on how to cook with freeze-dried food, highlighting the crew’s adaptability and good spirits even in challenging conditions.
"Final day" certainly did not mean "no more exercise"! The crew pushed through their last workout session, determined to end the mission strong and maintain the physical discipline upheld throughout the rotation.
Bérengère spent a full day in the Science Dome, continuing her dedicated work. She focused on observing spore germination and investigating the presence or absence of mycorrhizal associations between plantain plants and their fungal counterparts—key steps in assessing plant-fungus interactions under simulated Martian conditions.
Unfortunately, due to unfavorable weather conditions, the crew was unable to carry out a final EVA (Extravehicular Activity). While this was a disappointment, safety remained the top priority, and the team took the decision with professionalism.
This final day marked the end of an enriching and intense mission, leaving the crew with lasting memories and valuable data for further analysis.

Journalist report Sol 1

Most of us woke up around 6:45 am to the Terran news that Pope Francis had passed away in the night. Since we hadn’t landed on Mars quite yet, we perused those A1 headlines with ample wifi; meanwhile, our Crew Artist demonstrated the instant technology of Bisquick Shake N’ Pour and gave us a pancake breakfast. We discussed space suit technology at the table—designs from different countries, the difficulty of keeping hands dexterous and safe—before making another small pot of coffee and cleaning up. This Crew Journalist predicts that we’ll lock into the perfect morning coffee amounts and rituals within 1-2 days.

Outside, our Crew Health and Safety Officer and Crew Commander set up their DJI drone and its bright blue landing zone near the Musk Observatory. On EVAs, they’ll need to fly it out to target areas and bring it back steadily, so today’s practice runs were geared at getting comfortable with abandoning sight of the drone itself and depending on the controller’s camera view, and landing the drone as precisely in the middle of the target as possible. The two crewmembers helped each other with this last part as if they were parallel parking (with an extra physical dimension). Soon after, the Crew Journalist set up her blue oyster mushroom growth kit in the GreenHab—please send the spores well and humid wishes.

Our landing, right at 12:00, was so smooth it barely knocked the tuna salad some were eating off the accompanying Saltines. We didn’t wait long to get ready for our first EVA; our Crew Health and Safety Officer, Crew Engineer, and Crew Journalist went first. It was a smooth ride to Marble Ritual after our Commander played Also Sprach Zarathustra through the radio intercom. We returned without incident, and the second EVA, after some difficulties, made another successful round trip. We’re noticing some definite differences between the one- and two-piece suits, and our Crew Health and Safety Officer tried the latter, which worked but felt a little heavy on the back.

We ended the later afternoon with bread from the bread machine and herb-y olive oil for dipping and a 100cameras photography module for our Crew Health and Safety Officer’s project—this sent us around the campus taking perspective-heavy photos. We eventually made a delicious stew that included a good portion of the freeze dried vegetables from the pantry (well-based on the broccoli and cheddar soup mix). Time is already passing quickly.

Journalist report Sol 2

It probably means that the crew is settling in when they listen to Blue Danube and recall scenes from 2001: A Space Odyssey during breakfast. Today was about getting familiar with the rhythms of the day, as well as figuring out how we can break them up. After another quick 100cameras module from our Crew HSO at the table, we confidently scattered throughout the campus to perform different tasks: HSO and Commander worked with their drone again, this time with an SD card (views attached); our Engineer went to town on some broken zip ties in the tunnels; and our Journalist/GreenHab Officer troubleshot a GreenHab temperature issue and then sipped her coffee while staring into space near the beets.

Our Crew Engineer and Crew Artist went on the first EVA after testing out the two-piece suits, which helped with getting into the rovers. Their outing was successful for collecting rock samples for our Engineer’s 3D scanner, and he spent a good amount of time working with the tool in the Science Dome during the afternoon. (He also fixed an upside-down space suit helmet ring.) Our Commander, HSO, and Journalist went on a second EVA, mainly so our Journalist could collect soil samples. The trip wound up toward Candor Chasma; along the way, we stopped so our Commander could help find the road that will take the HSO and Journalist to Somerville Outlook tomorrow. Once at the chasm, we looked for and eventually found a way into it, briefly standing at the tip of the ridge and observing the void, the vegetation, and the piles of Martian animal dung. Speaking of dung: we then went two kilometers north on Cow Dung Road to take a look at some more soil spots and an expansive view of layered hills that our Commander likes. We noticed the faulty parking brake on Perseverance, which was scary for about 1 second before being controlled.

Once back at the Hab, our HSO’s surprise baking project was revealed—banana bread—and we ate it, exhausted and hungry, after her meticulous plating (menu-worthy photo attached). Dinner was yet again prepared by our Crew Artist and finally allowed the uninitiated to see the freeze dried ground beef—more delicious and nuggety than expected. Now we’re expressing our tiredness with early bedtimes, high (loft) and low (bean bag) report writing perches, and zoning out to the generator’s hum.