Category: Sol Summary

CREW 315 SOL SUMMARY REPORT 30-04-2025

Sol: 10

Summary Title: Settling Into the Martian Embrace

Author’s Name: Urban Koi, HSO

Mission Status: Nominal. All systems operational.

Sol Activity Summary:

Sol 10 dawned upon Crew Phoenix with a familiar cadence, the hum of routine settling into our bones as surely as the red dust settles into the seams of our boots. Each morning, we rise in the same order (Commander, Crew Artist, HSO, Journalist/GreenHab Officer, Crew Engineer), a silent choreography that speaks of adaptation.

Crew Engineer and HSO carried on with their first EVA of the Martian morning, embarking on a journey that took the crew to the storied Overlook. The rover bounced vigorously beneath the HSO’s hands as they traversed the red wilderness, the terrain unfolding in waves of ochre and umber. The drive was one of the longer ones of our mission, a journey both physical and contemplative. With each mile, the world outside the viewport grew more profound, the silence of the desert vast and unbroken, save for the wind’s low song. At the Overlook, they paused—engine off, hearts open. Before them, mountains rose in solemn majesty, their ancient bones etched by eons of wind and memory. Crew Engineer set up his 3D scanning nook and got right to work on scanning more mysterious Martian rocks. HSO flew her drone and captured the mountains’ grandeur in a series of videos, each frame a testament to the beauty and solitude that define this place.

Next, they proceeded through Candor Chasma, a landscape alive with memory, the terrain etched by the ancient passage of water. Here, geology is a form of storytelling, and each stone whispers of epochs past. As they hiked, the wind carried the scent of desert plants and the promise of new questions. Each step was a reminder that Mars, even in simulation, is a teacher-demanding, humbling, and endlessly inspiring.

The land is dynamic, shifting, never quite the same from one sol to the next—a mirror to our own evolving sense of purpose. Upon returning, the Crew Engineer, HSO, and Crew Artist embarked on a half-EVA, seeking to bridge worlds through art. With drone photography and brush, they reimagined Alan Bean’s vision, placing our humble habitat into the lineage of explorers who have gazed at distant horizons and dared to dream.

Upon return to the habitat, the aroma of experimental strawberry bread, baked by the HSO, drifted through the habitat, another gentle reminder that comfort can be crafted even in the most alien landscapes. In the GreenHab, the Journalist/GreenHab Officer harvested a bounty of lush microgreens and herbs—150 grams of living green, a vivid defiance against the dry desert outside. Each sprout, each leaf, is a small act of hope, a promise that life, in all its tenacity, can flourish even here.

Crew Engineer (our very efficient Swiss Army knife) finally tamed the recalcitrant rear door—a mundane triumph, yet one that brings to light the truth of exploration: Progress is measured not just in grand discoveries, but in the patient solving of small, persistent problems. Dinner was a celebration of collaboration: chicken salad made by the Crew Artist, wrapped in tortillas lovingly made by the Crew Journalist, vegetarian pasta and chili for the HSO—meals that nourished both body and spirit of the crew.

As Sol 10 draws to a close, we gather in the habitat, our bonds deepened by shared challenge and wonder. Here, at MDRS, we are more than a crew—we are witnesses to the magic of space exploration, and each day is a stanza in the epic of our becoming. All hearts are full. The horizon calls, and we answer—settling into the Martian embrace one sol at a time.

LOOK AHEAD PLAN:

Anomalies in Work: None at this time.

Weather: Temperature: 71º, 0930; Sky: Cloudy, 0930; Gust: 0 mph; 0930; Wind: 5 mph, 0930

Crew Physical Status: All in Good Health + Spirits

EVAs to Be Completed:

EVA 20: 0900-1300

Purpose: To return rock samples collected at Robert’s Rock Garden for the 3D scanning project and further explore Candor Chasma based on results from EVA 19. At Candor Chasma, we shall search for more rock samples and perform more drone flight operations.

EVA Participants: Michael Andrews (Engineer), Urban Koi (HSO), Elena Saavedra-Buckley (Crew Journalist/GreenHab Officer)

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

Support Requested: Please kindly ensure that Starlink issues are resolved before 2:30 PM (Mountain Time) for important crew responsibilities tomorrow. Please and thank you!

Crew 315 Sol Summary Report 01-05-2025

Sol: 11

Summary Title: Martian Sol Mates

Author’s name: Michael Andrews

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Crew 315 has just completed their penultimate day on Mars. And for the mouse that has plagued our kitchen over the last 2 sols, it was his last sol on Mars. He was captured in our mouse trap (thanks to a bit of engineering work from me to fix the trap and a bit of bait preparation from HSO Koi) and had been involuntary signed up for today’s EVA to Candor Chasma for an empathetic release.

EVA #20 started with the Millenial Crew (read: Elena, Koi, and myself) returning a rock sample at Robert’s Rock Garden before taking our murine crew member to the Chasma. Our send-off was quite short… perhaps he had more important places to be? Fortunately, that was the only crew member we would lose on this EVA through the canyons on one of the most picturesque hikes we had performed on an EVA.

The rest of the crew was busy in the hab in the meantime. Crew Artist Gagnon was signing the back of the 1000-piece puzzle – a tradition that we weren’t aware of until it was completed. He made sure to incorporate our Phoenix crew logo and the infamous Monolith into a sketch next to the signature. Commander Laude virtually met with tomorrow’s CNBC representatives to discuss interview details.

The team reunited around noon and completed our final 100cameras module and go over logistics for tomorrow. Tomorrow’s segment is meant to address the question “Are We Ready for Mars?” Preparing for the answers to that question always sparks an enthralling conversation that has Crew Journalist Saavedra-Buckley furious jotting down notes for her article in shorthand.

The rest of our afternoon was spent watching the sequel to 2001: “2010: The Year We Made Contact”. 2 hours later, all of my Space Odyssey questions were answered, and I will leave this station more informed on historical sci-fi cinema. As the comms window opened, I went to repair our rear exterior airlock door, which has started to droop over the last week. Some quick hinge fastener tightening did the trick.

Speaking of engineering work, I wanted to end this final engineering-focused sol summary to talk about some of the conclusions we have drawn from two important pieces of our EVA equipment: our rovers and our space suits.

Regarding our rovers, we have four in our fleet: Curiosity, Spirit, Opportunity, and Perseverance. Spirit had battery issues and was out of commission for the duration of the mission, and Perseverance needed some parking brake and ignition repairs. We put a total of 22.8 hours of drive time among the Perseverance, Curiosity, and Opportunity rovers. And we preferred those vehicles in that same order, based on how efficiently their batteries’ life was consumed. Perseverance would use an average of 29% of its battery life per hour of use, Curiosity 36%, and Opportunity 50%. As I gathered this information, we used it to determine which rover was best for long range missions and also when we could use a less efficient battery to give Perseverance time to charge up.

In terms of EVA space suits, we have three flavors: two-piece suits (#1-6), one-piece suits (#7-10) and one experimental suit (#11). They all have pros and cons, and I’d like to summarize here when each should be used. The two-piece suits are the most realistic looking, provide the strongest airflow to the helmet, and are the most compact to easily ingress and egress from the rovers. However, it is the heaviest and most uncomfortable, tending to push your neck and head forward. The one-piece suit is the lightest and most comfortable, but it is the bulkiest and provides little ability to look around while driving. The experimental suit has an intermediate amount of weight and comfort and has the best helmet visibility, but it doesn’t have a battery gauge and can be uncomfortable to ride in a rover with (due to lack of neck support). In conclusion, I would recommend the two-piece suit for rover-intensive missions, the one-piece suit for walking-heavy missions, and the experimental suit for missions where you need to use a screen or closely inspect objects.

I hope this information is useful to future crews and Mission Support! We are off to get one last night of sleep in the habitat under simulation conditions. Tomorrow’s EVA #21 will be a culmination of our various projects and an opportunity to show others what we came here to do. Good night and ad astra!

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we will be welcoming CNBC to the habitat for a news segment and taking them on an EVA to demonstrate our drone flights and 3D scanning capabilities. We will also begin shutting down the Science Dome and RAM and will consider ending simulation on Friday evening to get dinner in Hanksville.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Clear skies all day, temperatures ranging from 55 F to 65 F. Winds were light up to 5 mph, gusting up to 19 mph in the evening.

Crew Physical Status: All Healthy

EVA: Our 20th EVA was performed today, which consisted of the following objectives:

· Returning collected rock samples to Robert’s Rock Garden

· Releasing the captured mouse into the Martian landscape

· Exploring Candor Chasma

· Troubleshooting drone operations in the field

Reports to be filed: 1 EVA Request, 1 EVA Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos

Support Requested: None

CREW 315 SOL SUMMARY REPORT 02 MAY 2025

Sol: 12

Summary Title: End of Mission but boy was it something!

Author’s Name: Tim Gagnon – Crew Artist

Mission Status: Nominal. All systems operational.

Sol Activity Summary:

The sunrise this morning was beautiful and bittersweet. We knew this would be the last day of a mission we had looked forward to for a year. We hope the 315 crew “raised the bar” for future analog crews. All of our goals were met and although some experiments were unsuccessful results were still educational.

We gathered around the table enjoying a continental breakfast of coffee and sweet breads. At 8am our Commander opened the meeting to discuss the plan to host CNBC. The Commander would host the tour of the Hab first floor where the spacesuits CapCom station and airlocks are. The Artist would host the tour of the second floor residence, the Engineer would host the tour of the RAM, the Journalist would host the Green Hab tour and the HSO the Science Dome.

Lucas Millikan, the videographer from CNBC arrived shortly after 9am was met by Mission Support and “shot B-roll” of the MDRS campus. He entered the front airlock and went through the five minute procedure to transition from outside atmosphere to Hab atmosphere. We all greeted him and the Commander conducted a brief tour of the various facilities as an introduction to the base. We then adjourned to the second floor residence for an introductory meeting.

The Commander, as is customary took the first interview via Zoom with the producer in NYC. In a change, the Commander conducted the entire detailed tour but individual interviews were conducted with the entire crew in the above assigned locations. When the individual interviews were completed, the Commander, Engineer and Health and Safety Officer took Lucas on an EVA to Galileo Road where the HSO will pilot her drone to Compass Rock and the Engineer will show his ability to remote 3D scan of rock samples. During the EVA CNBC interviewed the crew asking about the suit, their experiments and the location. While they were gone the Journalist and Artist completed the take down of the Green Hab for closure over the summer off season.

When they arrived back at the Hab our analog adventure came to an end. Once final photos were taken we doffedour flight suits and along with Mission Support went to Dukes Grillin Hanksville for a celebratory dinner.

LOOK AHEAD PLAN: As a child of Apollo, I approached this mission with the idea to share how the lunar missions of my childhood offered inspiration to this experience. It is only fitting that I quote the Commander of Apollo 17 as he ended the last mission of the Apollo lunar exploration program. He said:

“As I take man’s last step from the surface, back home for some time to come, but we believe not too long into the future, I’d like to just say what I believe history will record: That America’s challenge of today has forged man’s destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return: with peace and hope for all mankind. – Gene Cernan.

Crew Physical Status: All in Good Health + Spirits

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Crew Photos, Green Hab Report, Operations Report, EVA reports, EVA Request(s)

Support Requested: The MDRS 315 crew would like to express our appreciation to The Mars Society for this opportunity, to Mission Support David Steinhour for being a great Flight Director and our Commander David Laude for taking five strangers and turning them into a team dedicated to the experience, the mission and each other.

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.

CREW 315 SOL SUMMARY REPORT 29 APR 2025

Sol: 9

Summary Title: The goal line in sight and the final push to uncover “The Monolith.”

Author’s Name: Tim Gagnon – Crew Artist

Mission Status: Nominal. All systems operational.

Sol Activity Summary:

The Sun dawned on Sol 9 with a clear cobalt blue sky. It cast long, dramatic shadows across the base towards the RAM. We all slept well, maybe a bit too well. Does this mean we are becoming “martians?”

Our first attempt to capture the Mars mouse was unsuccessful but we discovered the bait was well received. A plan was discussed for another attempt over a delicious breakfast of blueberry pancakes made by our Commander. At 0800 hrs the Commander called our morning meeting to order. Today’s EVAs were reviewed. The morning EVA a hike by the Engineer, Health & Safety Officer and Journalist to the north ridge above and behind the Hab and the afternoon EVA the last, best chance to image “The Monolith” via drone by the Commander, HSO and Journalist.

During the morning EVA the Engineer requested a group photo while the EVA crew were atop the ridge. The Artist performed an IVA to the Musk Observatory via the tunnel system and captured the photos with his iPad.

Tonight’s meal again planned by the Crew Artist will take advantage of our leftovers: chili accompanied by Penne pasta and cheese as well as tortillas made by our Journalist for those who want the burrito experience. Desert will be chocolate brownies with crushed peppermint.

During this mission the Artist has compiled (with the assistance of the crew) and shared on Social Media EVA photos inspired by art created by Paul and Chris Calle, Alan Bean and Ed Hengveld. At the end of an EVA tomorrow the Artist, Engineer and HSO piloting her drone will attempt to recreate “In Flight” the painting by Alan Bean of the Apollo 14 golf shot by Alan Shepard in 1971. Details will be provided in the EVA request this evening.

The afternoon EVA set out at 1300 crewed by our Commander, HSO and Journalist to the Moon Overlook to search for “ The Monolith” testing the limitations of the HSO drone. The results will be detailed in other reports but to my untrained eye, they were spectacular.

We predict future crews to the MDRS will push the envelope of piloting drones even further. An amazing exploration tool. The EVA crew returned at 1633 hours tired but happy and our HSO shared raw video footage on her laptop. I can’t wait for the reveal on her YouTube channel.

Our Journalist prepared vegetable and beef burritos for everyone to accompany the chili and penne pasta with cheese prepared by the Artist. NOTE: there is a need for more plastic containers for leftovers. 😊

We are now working on our reports so they can be submitted at the beginning of the Comm Window. We have learned to work “smarter not harder” and become a bit more efficient each day. Gathered around the table we feel content and proud of a job well done.

LOOK AHEAD PLAN:

Crew Physical Status: All in Good Health + Spirits

EVAs to Be Completed:

EVA 18: 0900-1200
Purpose: Explore Somerville Overlook and Candor Chasma to return rock samples collected for the 3D scan experiment. HSO will pilot her drone as well.
EVA Participants: Michael Andrews (Engineer) and Urban Koi (HSO)

NOTE: When the Engineer and HSO return from this EVA, the Artist will join them on the surface for a brief recreation of the Alan Shepard golf shot during Apollo 14. The Artist participation will last approximately 15 mins.

EVA 19: 1300-1500
Purpose: Explore Candor Chasma to search for desiccated soil
EVA Participants: David Laude (CDR) and Elena Saavedra Buckley (Journalist)

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

Support Requested: We request the Comm Window be opened on Sol 11 (May 1st ) at 1430 hours for HSO’s last NASA online meeting. Also, we would ask that Comms be available all day on Friday, May 2nd in support of the visit by CNBC.

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.

Crew 315 Sol Summary Report 27-04-2025

Sol: 7

Summary Title: A Sol In The Life

Author’s name: Michael Andrews, Crew Engineer

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

The Phoenix team is now in the second half of their mission on Mars. I have to admit: I am quite excited that the Crew Engineer has been assigned to write the Sol Summary for Crew 315 only on sols that are prime numbers so far. And yes, I will be writing sol 11’s summary as well!

We awoke to egg cups for breakfast. I normally am not a fan of mushrooms (apologies to HSO Koi and Journalist Saavedra-Buckley who have fungi-focused research both on Earth and Mars) but Artist Gagnon found a way to prepare them in a way that even I enjoyed.

The first EVA involved Commander Laude and I taking the off-road path to Lith Canyon and climbing various ridges to get a good view of the Monolith for his project. I had never started watching
2001: A Space Odyssey” until last night after much cajoling from the crew, so I didn’t understand the significance of this object until recently. This additional compass heading would allow us to better triangulate its position and find the best location on our Martian map to approach the Monolith via HSO Kois’ drone. At the end of our EVA, we noticed that several small stone towers had been constructed along the tallest Lith Canyon ridge, which Commander Laude explained as being tributes to the main Monolith to enrich his story. Now I am a man of science and don’t believe in any of that, but I do want to claim credit for their name: Miniliths™.

After a short nap, I geared up for EVA #13 with HSO Koi. We aimed to go to Skyline View, a relatively far area from the MDRS station. It didn’t provide many interesting views or progress on scientific objectives, but it made up for it with an interesting story. The MDRS region is surrounded by public land and we often encounter other humans on Mars that we refer to as “aliens”. At Skyline View, we noticed a van parked in the vicinity and later realized it was stuck in the Martian regolith. The drivers approached us looking for help, and although I knew we didn’t have enough torque to extract them, HSO Koi communicated the issue to CapComm who leveraged Mission Support to help. If I was an alien stranded on Mars, I don’t know if I’d be more relieved to see Crew 315’s Health and Safety Officer and Crew Engineer for rescue.

After another 100camera module, we began reflecting on the day and writing reports. A recent topic of conversation has become our water consumption, as we were originally consuming more than 40 gallons of water per day. Commander Laude gave us some good tips to conserve water, and we have been making significant strides ever since. I, for one, am excited that the crew eagerly awaits figures from my Operations Report.

Speaking of eagerly awaiting, the crew is excited to watch the finale of “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Good night Earth!

Look Ahead Plan: The team will resume their normal rhythm of two EVAs a day, with all crew members participating in the EVAs. We are beginning to close in on the final objectives of our individual projects. GreenHab maintenance tasks are beginning to subside as we prepare the area for teardown. The crew has an impressive collection of delicious leftovers and is starting to determine which meals should be repeated before the end of sim.

Anomalies in work: No serious anomalies, but the Crew Engineer has a collection of small repair projects that don’t impact mission viability that will be addressed in the coming days. These are further detailed in today’s Operations Report.

Weather: Today was our windiest day yet! Temperatures ranged from 56 to 64 F, and skies were consistently cloudy. Winds were southwesterly at 17 mph, gusting up to 32 mph at times. Winds never violated EVA abort criteria, but they were constantly monitored throughout the day.

Crew Physical Status: All members healthy

EVA:

· EVA 12: Commander Laude and Engineer Andrews scaled the ridges at Lith Canyon to take additional compass readings of the Monolith. We also observed multiple mini Monoliths on the ridge that were erected by humans.

· EVA 13: Engineer Andrews and HSO Koi traveled to Skyline View to take rock samples and photos for the Crew Artist. At our EVA location we were approached by tourists in a van that had gotten stuck in the soft sand. We radio’ed Mission Support to intervene.

Reports to be filed: 2 EVA Requests, 2 EVA Reports, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos

Support Requested: None

Crew 314 Sol Summary Report 10-04-2025

Sol: 4

Summary Title: Mars the Beautiful

Author’s name: Arnaud de Wergifosse (Crew executive officer)

Mission Status: ongoing

Sol Activity Summary: This morning, Béatrice (commandant), Antoine (engineer), and Arnaud (executive officer) headed out on an EVA. After a quick check of Antoine’s equipment, the crew took Galileo Road toward Candor Chasma, a stunning canyon with striking Martian-like scenery. Dressed in their space suits, they may have felt (just for a few moments) like true explorers on Mars. The EVA went smoothly and offered breathtaking views throughout.

Back at the MDRS, the afternoon was more relaxed, focused on scientific work. Arnaud and Béatrice continued data collection for their joint experiment, which tracks heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep quality and duration, as well as responses to a supplementation protocol (either a placebo or a combination of Lactobacillus helveticus and glycine). Each participant also carries out a daily five-minute cardiac coherence session, a breathing technique known to support stress management.

Meanwhile, our journalist, Batoul continued her research by placing bacterial cultures outside to observe how extreme temperature variations affect their growth, an experiment that may offer insights into the effects of climate change. Bérengère, the greenhab officer, spent the whole day sterilizing spores for her experiment.

To wrap up the day, some crew members took time to unwind or get active. Arnaud finished his afternoon with a high-intensity bike session, a powerful way to cap off a day of exploration, research, and physical challenge.

Look Ahead Plan: One EVA is scheduled in the morning to conduct Bérengère’s experiment. Throughout the day, we will continue working on our individual experiments, including a CRM simulation in the afternoon involving the whole team for Odile’s experiment. Béatrice and Arnaud will carry on their research while collecting data with their wearables.

Anomalies in work : None was mentioned today.

Weather: Sunny, without clouds. Warm in the afternoon. Temperatures varying between 40°and 84° throughout the day

Crew Physical Status : Everyone was in good health today, with no issues reported.

EVA: This morning’s EVA crew changed slightly as Batoul Tani (Crew Journalist) had to remain at the Hab due to a scientific emergency related to her experiment.

The team departed on time, with Arnaud as EVA leader. He drove Curiosity with Antoine (Crew Engineer) as passenger, while Béatrice (Crew Commander) drove Opportunity, since Spirit is still out of use due to a battery charging issue. Their first stop was at the intersection of Galileo Road and Cow Dung Road, after taking Moonwalk Road out of the MDRS. Antoine’s equipment was checked and found to be in good condition.

They continued toward Compass Rock, their intended exploration site. A moment of concern arose due to a miscommunication with Mission Support, who briefly thought the team might be stuck. The situation was quickly clarified, allowing the EVA to proceed.

A brief stop along Galileo Road followed, though no one exited the rover. Communication with CapCom was attempted but hampered by a poor signal. At that point, leadership was transferred to Béatrice. The team’s actual position slightly differed from the initial plan, but they reached Compass Rock by 10:15. After reviewing the map and planned route through the canyon (Candor Chasma), they left the rovers at 10:25.

Due to the lack of signal in Candor Chasma, there was no contact with the team while they were walking. Communication was restored at 10:53 as they exited the canyon.

On the return trip, Antoine drove Curiosity solo, and Arnaud drove Opportunity with Béatrice as passenger. The crew returned safely to the Hab and enjoyed spotting a few lizards along the way.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Crew Photos, EVA Report, EVA Request

Support Requested: none

Crew 314 Sol Summary Report 11-04-2025

Sol: 5

Summary Title: Life Between Red Dust and Blue Skies

Author’s name: Arnaud de Wergifosse (Crew executive officer)

Mission Status: ongoing

Sol Activity Summary: Early in the day, an EVA was carried out to collect soil samples for Bérengère’s GreenHab experiment and to check on the equipment for Antoine’s ongoing engineering project. Both tasks were completed successfully, despite the hot conditions outside.

Back in the station, Bérengère planted new seeds in the GreenHab: radish sprouts, arugula, cress, and other fast-growing greens. She also took time to water the existing plants and monitor their development.

Meanwhile, Antoine downloaded the meteorological data, crucial for tracking environmental changes and ensuring the safety of future EVAs.

Batoul, our journalist, spent the afternoon programming a new experiment which simulates the effects of Martian microgravity.

Our daily scientific protocols continue steadily, as each team member follows their assigned experiment schedules with precision and focus.

Life at the MDRS is a constant balance between routine and the unexpected, and today was a perfect example of that.

Look Ahead Plan: One EVA is scheduled in the morning to conduct Antoine’s experiment. Throughout the day, we will continue working on our individual experiments. Béatrice and Arnaud will carry on their research while collecting data with their wearables and with a questionnaire about stress and sleep evaluation. Louis will continue his work in the Observatory.

Anomalies in work: None was notified.

Weather: Sunny without clouds in the morning and the afternoon. Temperatures varied between 44°F and 90°F for the lowest and highest temperatures of the day.

Crew Physical Status: Everyone was in good health today, with no issues reported.

EVA: The EVA team exited the Hab at 09:31 after a 5-minute decompression. Batoul and Odile took Curiosity, while Bérengère and Antoine drove Opportunity. The team passed Cowboy Corner and arrived at the Special Region by 10:05, where they collected two soil samples for Bérengère’s experiment.

Due to poor signal near the region, contact with CapCom was unsuccessful until arrival at the site. Afterward, the team skipped the Overlook due to battery considerations (Opportunity at 58%) and reached the Galileo Road & Cow Dung Road intersection by 11:15. There, they inspected Antoine’s equipment and deployed the drone for additional data.

On the way, they retrieved a fallen rover camera piece. The return began at 11:34 with a driver switch, and the rovers were parked at the Hab by 11:41. Decompression ended at 11:47, marking a successful and efficient EVA.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Crew Photos, EVA Report, EVA Request, Astronomy Report.

Support Requested: Crew requested from the mission support to bring them packages needed for the crew journalist’s experiment

Crew 314 Sol Summary Report 12-04-2025

Sol: 6

Summary Title: Under the Martian Gusts

Author’s name: Arnaud de Wergifosse (Crew Executive Officer)

Mission Status: ongoing

Sol Activity Summary: Despite strong winds and slightly limited visibility, an EVA was successfully conducted today to explore the region. The mission proceeded with caution and allowed for valuable observations of the surrounding terrain.

In the science dome, our crew journalist, Batoul, observed the completion of treatments on her first bacterial cultures. She is expecting her initial results tomorrow, which will mark an exciting milestone in her microbiology experiments. Bérengère, our GreenHab Officer, was able to tend to the plants despite the high temperatures inside the greenhouse, ensuring they remain in good condition.

Overall, it was a relatively calm day for most of the scientific projects, aside from the daily routine experiments which continued as planned.

Look Ahead Plan: One EVA is scheduled in the morning to conduct Bérengère’s experiment at Sea of Shells. Throughout the day, we will continue working on our individual experiments, including a CRM simulation in the afternoon involving the whole team for Odile’s experiment. Béatrice and Arnaud will carry on their research while collecting data with their wearables.

Anomalies in work: None was notified.

Weather: The day was partly cloudy both in the morning and afternoon, with occasional wind and gusts reaching up to 39 mph. Temperatures fluctuated between 47°F and 88°F throughout the entire day.

Crew Physical Status: Everyone was in good health today, with no issues reported.

EVA: Under warmer weather conditions and moderate wind gusts (~15 mph), the crew departed the MDRS at 09:44, heading toward the Sea of Shells for geological sampling and a check on Antoine’s experiment. Despite intermittent signal loss—particularly upon arrival at the Sea of Shells at 10:10—the team successfully completed their tasks. Wind conditions peaked at 16 mph during the outing.

After returning to Brahe Highway at 11:01 and re-establishing communication, the crew made a second stop at the intersection of Galileo and Cow Dung Road to inspect field equipment. The EVA concluded with a safe return to the Hab at 11:24, followed by decompression ending at 11:32.

This EVA successfully met all scientific and operational objectives despite communication and weather-related challenges.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, EVA Report, EVA Request, Crew Photos, Astronomy Report.

Support Requested:

A request was submitted to Mission Support to assist the crew in closing the main entrance door, which had suddenly slammed open due to strong winds and became stuck. Thanks to Mission Support’s prompt intervention, the issue was successfully resolved.

Since some of the canned goods and food supplies (such as eggs, coffee, etc.) were already partially used upon our arrival, would it be possible to receive a resupply?