Category: Journalist Report

Crew 310 Journalist Report 11Feb2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist

The Hypatia II crew started the day with an EVA at Barrainca Butte, where the geologist Marina Martinez had the opportunity to collect geologic samples using her VANTA Max portable X-ray fluorescence gun. With this instrument, she aims to apply geoconservacy on Mars by doing in situ analyses to discern between high scientific value samples from samples that would not be collected. The Scientist and Health Safety officer, Estel Blay, and the journalist, Jennifer García Carrizo, accompanied her to document her work in the field. They returned safely to the base after a walk in the spectacular Martian landscape.
To honor the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the crew made public their scientific and artistic project, which they have been working through several EVAs. A 40×40 meter cross was created in the martian landscape, to be captured by satellites in low Earth orbit.
Pythagoras and the method used by the ancient Egyptians to measure agricultural fields when the Nile River flooded, helped the crew to mark the region to deploy the macro-piece of art. The deployment was physically very demanding due to a tight timeline, as a consequence of adverse weather conditions during the first week on Mars. Moreover, the astronaut equipment, which weighs approximately 15 kilos, including gloves and other elements that hinder mobility, did not facilitate the task. The crew has undoubtedly done a great job. This action was part of an awareness online campaign #WomenLeaveTheirMark, which seeks to highlight the research of women scientists in the progress of science and knowledge.

Crew 310 Journalist Report 12Feb2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist
The crew of Hypatia II started a new Sol at the MDRS with great excitement! While part of the crew headed out for an EVA to film the Martian landscape with a drone, journalist Jennifer García Carrizo and Commander Ariadna Farrès remained at the station. They discussed sustainable water-saving practices at the MDRS’s. For instance, how to wash dishes, clean the surfaces, and shower effectively to consume as less water as possible. It is key to turn off the faucets when not in use, use minimum water flow, and only shower when necessary—no more than once every three days.
At lunchtime, Marina Martínez explained the female cyclicity with its different phases to the crew, having a moment of connection. After that, the crew returned to their tasks. They are near the end of the mission and need to focus on documenting all the experiments and results.
However, the most magical and unforgettable moment of the day was when the whole crew gathered together to watch the full moon rise from the Musk observatory. This was a perfect moment to step away from their work at the MDRS and truly connect as a crew.

Scouting (Day 1)

We spent the day scouting out the EVA sites we’d like to use for our experiments. We decided on 8 sites north and south of the habitat. The weather was warmer than expected (a brisk 20ish degrees F) but the wind while driving was pretty rough. We tested some technology today as well. For example, we need really precise GPS tracker and found great success using a Garmin dog tracking collar! We also put together a little remote control rover to try out tomorrow. Fingers crossed its all terrain as advertised! We had a great meal of tortellini, chicken sausage, broccoli and carrots and a great convo about board games with Mission Support to close out the night.

Best,

Aaron

Today we spent a lot of time covering various logistics: what’s a day in the life of an MDRS sim, what will our experiment operations look like as researchers and participants, and things like where will we stay. We also tested some new sensors in the transitions between indoors and outdoors. We found what we expected for our eye tracking glasses – facing the sun is a bad idea. Our second crew arrived today so we helped them unpack and get them trained. They’ll be our participants for our experiment tomorrow. As part of their initiation, we had them cook dinner using a recipe from the MDRS cookbook and pantry ingredients. They chose wisely and made a great chicken fried rice. Following that we had brownies, discussed our Hogwarts houses, and did some more planning.

Today was filled with putting our scouting, navigation and tracking equipment, and experimental procedures that we generated over the course of the week to work. We conducted a total of three EVAs using both maps and a handheld Garmin tracker device, which functioned as both an ammonia and rare mineral detector within the sim. These three EVAs dictated constant crew personnel resources, and we had Mission Support be a pilot participant in our navigation tasks for added assistance and task naivety. Following a long day piloting our tasks at Cowboy Corner, Pooh’s Corner, and Kissing Camel, we began scripting our data analysis in python during dinner, which consisted of frozen pizzas.Following dinner, we prepared our equipment, personal items, and the habitat for an early morning departure.

Crew 310 Journalist Report 02-03-2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist
We woke up on Mars at around 3°C, with sunshine and a slight breeze. The feeling of being on this planet remains astonishing. Our day begins with thirty minutes of exercise to maintain our fitness in Mars’ low gravity, followed by an energy-packed breakfast. Today’s mission is special: part of the team will carry out our first extravehicular activity (EVA) as a crew.
The plan for this EVA was to begin preparing the artistic-scientific project led by Anna Bach. Accompanying her were Ariadna Farrés and Estel Blay. However, strong winds complicated the EVA, and despite their efforts, they couldn’t make as much progress as they had hoped. Still, they managed to complete the first part of the installation. Step by step.
Meanwhile, the rest of us stayed inside the station. I worked on creating a virtual tour of the MDRS, aiming to produce a 360° video documenting all of its spaces. This material will later help explain how we make our mission sustainable.
Geologist Marina Martínez worked in the Science Dome, setting up an X-ray fluorescence gun, an essential tool that allows her to analyze the composition of soil and rock samples before collecting them during our EVAs.
Helena Arias, on the other hand, used her 3D printer to produce components for the solar panels she is working on with Estel. She also had to paint them with glow-in-the-dark paint. Though the task proved challenging, her characteristic perseverance ensured its successful completion. Meanwhile, Mónica Roca checked the right functioning of an antenna, essential for the reflector she is working on.
At midday, we gathered for a quick but delicious meal, prepared by Helena and Marina: a tasty vegan burger with dehydrated sweet potato fries, paired with a small cherry tomato from the Green Hab.
After lunch, Mónica, Helena, Marina, and I went out to document the surroundings. Marina began collecting her first samples, while Mónica installed a cable needed for her reflector at the back of the station. The experience was thrilling but also exhausting. The astronaut suit restricts mobility, and the Martian wind adds an extra layer of difficulty. Even so, we completed our mission and returned to the station safely and on time.
Back at the station, we took the opportunity to share our experiences and review the collected data. Fatigue was evident, but the excitement of completing our first EVAs kept us motivated. Tomorrow will bring another day of challenges and discoveries to the Red Planet.

Jennifer García Carrizo
Crew Journalist

Crew 310 Journalist Report 04Feb2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist
Yesterday, during one of their EVAs (extravehicular activities), the Hypatia II crew lost a geolocator. Today, they woke up determined to recover it. Although they initially thought the task would be relatively complicated, it turned out to be surprisingly simple. Upon reaching the area where they believed it had been lost, they took just a few steps—and there it was, waiting for them. This unexpected ease simplified their EVA, allowing them to return to the exterior of the station earlier than planned.
Once there, Jennifer García Carrizo, the expert in scientific communication and sustainability, took the opportunity to continue working on the 360° video scan of the station. However, it was no easy task. The challenge? The wind. Strong gusts constantly knocked over her camera and tripod, making the process frustratingly difficult. The same issue affected Estel Blay and Ariadna Farrés, who were simultaneously installing small solar panel supports near the station’s existing solar panels. Helena Arias Casals had printed these supports with her 3D printer, and together, they aimed to explore different solutions to optimize performance and efficiency. The Martian dust significantly reduces the effectiveness of solar panels, making this an essential study.
Meanwhile, inside the station, Anna Bach took the rare opportunity to enjoy a much-needed Martian shower before continuing her artistic project, which captures the stories of the crew.
In the afternoon, the second group of Hypatia II embarked on another EVA, during which they successfully installed the structure of the corner reflector that Mònica Roca i Aparici is working on for satellite calibration. Despite the complexity of the task, they completed it successfully and returned to the base in high spirits. As the sun set over the Martian landscape, Marina Martínez finished setting up all her equipment in the Science Dome.
Now, with the entire crew back “home,” it’s time to prepare a well-deserved Martian dinner and rest, recharging their energy for the challenges of their next Sol.

Crew 310 Journalist Report 05Feb2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist

The crew begins a new day on Mars, but today is extra special! For the next 24 hours, they will enjoy a meal designed by the winners of the International Space Challenge organized by Space Faculty of Singapore—a group of four incredible kids, aged 8 to 9! These young innovators, known as Team SpaceTatouille, created a complete menu—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks—tailored to meet astronauts’ calorie and nutritional needs. Commander Ariadna Farrés prepared the recipes in the U.S. and sent them to the MDRS, where today, the crew finally got to enjoy them!
But food wasn’t the only highlight of the day! In the morning, the two engineers -Helena Arias and Mònica Roca I Aparici- and the commander -Ariadna Farrés- headed out to assemble the central part of the reflector—three massive aluminum pieces that took almost four hours to securely install on the legs they had set up the day before.
Meanwhile, journalist Jenifer García Carrizo created sustainable content about the composter we are using in the MDRS, while geologist Marina Martínez and scientist Estel Blay prepared instruments for the afternoon’s geological excursion.
In the afternoon, the geologist -Marina Martínez-, scientist -Estel Blay-, and artist-in-residence -Anna Bach- embarked on an extravehicular activity to collect samples from Valles Marineris for in-house analysis. Anna captured images to recreate the breathtaking Martian landscape faithfully and even started sketching some initial drawings. Meanwhile, Estel Blay accessed the first data from the newly installed solar panels, took images of the structural experiment’s solar panel, and continued analyzing the heat distribution in the new designs.
Stay tuned—tomorrow promises another exciting day!

Crew 310 Journalist Report 06Feb2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist

The crew of Hypatia II woke up early, ready for another exciting day on Mars! Part of the team has set off in the morning and afternoon for exhausting EVAs to continue their work on the mission’s scientific and artistic project.
Meanwhile, the rest of the crew stayed at the station. Journalist Dr. Jennifer García Carrizo has documented key moments of the mission, ensuring that every step of their journey has been recorded. At the same time, artist Anna Bach worked on her children’s project, soon to be published in Catalan with the editorial Estrella Polar. It will narrate the incredible adventures of the mission. With great care, she sketched beautiful and flattering portraits of each Hypatia II crew member. She has now begun to illustrate key scenes from the book, taking inspiration from the landscapes that surround us. She has also walked around the Martian station to make accurate drawings of the facilities and the tools geologist Dr. Marina Martínez has been using in the scientific dome. In fact, she has been busy analyzing the variety of samples she has collected in Vallis Marineris, including different clays and minerals. For that, she has been utilizing the Spectroscout, a portable Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, provided by SPECTRO.
The mission has continued and so has the excitement—every day has brought discoveries and creative achievements! Stay tuned for more updates from Hypatia II!

Crew 310 Journalist Report 07Feb2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist

The crew is starting to get the hang of life on Mars! Today, they carried out an EVA so that Mònica Roca i Aparici, the crew’s engineer, could finish installing her reflector. Although the antenna is still missing, progress has been excellent! The corner reflector aims to calibrate satellites for accurate measurements, helping to monitor things like sea level changes and polar ice cap melting.
Mònica Roca i Aparici worked at ESA for 10 years before founding IsardSAT. These two entities have collaborated to deploy the corner reflector at the Mars Desert Research Station. Once it’s up and running, hopefully in just a few days, it will enable the calibration of planetary observation satellites!
Later, part of the crew accompanied the geologist Marina Martínez to explore Marble Ritual, where they made some fascinating discoveries. They collected samples and observed the stunning landscape that has been shaped by external geological processes, such as the wind, the lack of rain, and the extreme desert conditions.
After the exhausting EVA, the crew was treated to a fabulous risotto prepared by Estel Blay and Helena Arias Casals! A well-deserved feast to recharge and celebrate the day’s achievements!
In the afternoon, due to strong winds, the crew took the opportunity to rest, organize research projects, analyze their progress, and, most importantly, socialize—an essential aspect of missions like this! And tonight, the crew has a surprise activity, prepared by Helena Arias and Jennifer García Carrizo! What could it be?