Category: Sol Summary

Crew 311 Sol Summary Report 25-02-2025

Sol: 9

Summary Title: Meddi, tell me a story!

Author’s name: Erin Pougheon, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: This morning, crew members started working on the mid-rotation video: music, images and editing. We work hard on it because we want it to be perfect for Sol 13! Meanwhile, sessions of other experiments such as HUMANISE, in which crew members must teleoperate a rover, took place. The 3D map and classical 2D map for the photogrammetry experiment are also ready to be used tomorrow and Friday for EVAs!

After a break, Crew started their activities again. Especially, Crew Scientist and Crew Journalist prepared their tomorrow’s EVA by taking notes with the 2D map to find checkpoints in Candor Chasma!

Look Ahead Plan: Sol 10 will be mainly centered on the EVA of photogrammetry for the 2D map team!

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Cloudy, Temperature 60 F / 70 F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Request #06, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos.

Support Requested: We would like to organize the mid-rotation resupply during on EVA, having the EVA Crew putting food left by a “cargo rover” in the airlock. Will it be possible to organize it on Sol13 (Saturday) as we plan to do an EVA this day ?

Crew 311 Sol Summary Report 26-02-2025

Sol: 10

Summary Title: 10 Sols, 10 experiments

Author’s name: Erin Pougheon, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: This morning, Crew Journalist and Crew Scientist, monitored by GreenHab Officer, performed an EVA at Candor Chasma. The aim was for them to find checkpoints thanks to a 2D map they drew the day before. We don’t know if they were successful for now because we must wait for the team having a 3D map to perform the EVA on Friday, so we’ll be able to compare their performances!

Meanwhile in the Hab, crew members performed experiments’ sessions and modelized in 3D a little box to hold tools to retrieve data from the atmospheric instruments during EVA, and 3D-printed it!

During the afternoon, Crew Astronomer did beautiful pictures of the Sun while other crew members tried debugging AMAIA, our AI assistant, or continued working on the mid-rotation video.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow will be a day in which all crew members stay at the station, performing experiments’ sessions and continuing editing the mid-rotation video. On Sol 12 we plan to perform the second EVA of photogrammetry with the team having a 3D map at Candor Chasma.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Sunny, Temperature 60 F / 70 F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report #06, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Astronomy Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos.

Support Requested: None

Crew 311 Sol Summary Report 21-02-2025
Sol: 5
Summary Title: Enjoying the sweetness of silence
Author’s name: Erin Pougheon, Crew Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: This morning sports session was the first one in the last three days with every crew member participating in it! It was a good start to a calm morning. Crew Engineer, Crew Astronomer and Crew HSO created signs to place near the atmospheric instruments and discourage “aliens” to approach. Meanwhile, Crew Commander and Crew Scientist worked on the writing of scientific abstracts and Crew Journalist sketched the station, as an additional activity to the Orbital Architecture experiment. Before lunch, we also took some luminosity measurements with a specific sensor to know if the lights we finished installing yesterday were well calibrated or not.
After a good lunch and a little break, everyone went back to scientific activities. GreenHab Officier explained to other crew members how to use the drone in preparation for the EVA of tomorrow, while Crew Commander was monitoring water usages since the beginning of simulation and Crew Engineer worked on a system to monitor the atmospheric instruments’ batteries from the station. Crew Astronomer enjoyed the sunny weather to take some beautiful sun pictures.
It was a calm day in the station, full of little (but essential!) scientific activities!
Look Ahead Plan: On Sol 6, Crew 311 will perform its fourth EVA, in order to go to the atmospheric instruments and then to walk around the station to take some drone pictures and videos, as well as for communication purpose than for the stratigraphy experiment. We plan to finish activities early in the day in order for the Crew to start enjoying the weekend and rest.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Sunny, Temperature 35 F / 45 F
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: None
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Request #04, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Astronomy Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos.
Support Requested: None

Crew 311 Sol Summary Report 22-02-2025
Sol: 6
Summary Title: The sky is no longer the limit!
Author’s name: Erin Pougheon, Crew Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: This morning, Crew HSO, Crew Astronomer, Crew Scientist and Crew Astronomer went out on an EVA. The aim of the EVA was to retrieve data from the atmospheric instruments and to change their batteries, and then for the EVA crew members to walk around the station, towards Hab Ridge. The EVA was successful, except for some problems with the atmospheric instruments: it seems that they didn’t take data for all the time they were outside on Mars… We’ll analyze the data and see!
Meanwhile, inside the station, Crew Journalist was HabCom for the EVA and took time to cook and copy files from the EVOLSAN recording session of yesterday. Crew Engineer worked on debugging AMAIA and helped Crew Commander with Core Data handling.
After a well-deserved lunch, everyone accomplished some tasks in the beginning of the afternoon, and then stopped around 4:00 PM and enjoy the beginning of the weekend in the station! LEGO building, crocheting, reading… The activities are restful!
Look Ahead Plan: On Sol 7, Crew 311 will enjoy a little more sleep in the morning and wake up at 8:30 AM. The crew will take advantage of the weekend day to have a larger sport session of an hour and then clean the station deeply. The afternoon is planned to be restful for everyone.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Sunny, Temperature 45 F / 55 F
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: None
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report #04, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Astronomy Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos.
Support Requested: None

Crew 311 Sol Summary Report 23-02-2025

Sol: 7

Summary Title:

Author’s name: Erin Pougheon, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: The day started later than the other day, allowing the Crew to rest. We had a larger sport session organized by our Crew HSO. After that, we deep cleaned the station. Every module and every area of them is now shiny!

We enjoyed a good gratin and used the afternoon to rest, with a lot of activities such as Lego building or crochet. Some crew members played cards, read books, …

This Sunday in the station was really peaceful and resting for everyone !

Look Ahead Plan: On Sol 8, Crew 311 will perform the first EVA of photogrammetry, a mapping technique with a drone to create 3D maps. Meanwhile, other crew members will continue to perform some assessments for other experiments and Crew Journalist will start to work on the mid-rotation video. The afternoon will be dedicated to the analyze of the data to create the photogrammetry 3D map.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Sunny and cloudy, Temperature 50 F / 60 F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Request #05, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Astronomy Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos.

Support Requested: We have a problem with mousses. We catch one every evening, around 8:00 PM, with the cage. We try to let them go around the observatory to they are far from the Hab but they come back every time (we think we have different ones, it is not always the same one). We even tried to release one at North Ridge during our last EVA but we still have some mousses that come in the Hab. We saw 2 in a room during the night … We don’t know what to do to deal with them and it starts to be stressful for some crew members that fear they can eat our food. We thought maybe we could give the cage to you (through the RAM) every time we catch one, but I don’t know if it would be useful because it seems like we have a lot. Or maybe you have some product to make them go away? Please let us know if you have any solution.

Crew 311 Sol Summary Report 17-02-2025
Sol: 1
Summary Title: “It’s a small step for me, a bigger one for Quentin”
Author’s name: Erin Pougheon, Crew Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: Today, Crew 311 started simulation, after taking some pictures in front of the Hab. After that moment, Crew 311 is on Mars!
To start the simulation, four crew members went out on EVA. They trained on how to use the equipment and tried and found a site to install the atmospheric instruments during the EVA of installation that will take place in a few Sols. Meanwhile, the other part of the crew started inventorying and setting up the experiments in the station, and especially discovered all the food the crew will enjoy during the next weeks.
After lunch, the other part of the crew went out on EVA. They enjoyed the beautiful landscape of Mars and the station. The end of the afternoon was full of setups, for a lot of different experiments. GreenHab Officier set up Micropouss in the GreenHab while Crew Engineer, Crew Astronomer and Crew Journalist did the construction of the atmospheric instruments in the RAM. Crew Scientist and HSO did the setup of anchors in various modules of the station for the Orbital Architecture experiment.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow, the Crew will finish to install the atmospheric instruments in the RAM for the EVA that will take place on Sol 3. We also look ahead to finish installing anchors, equipment, etc for all the experiments we planed to lead.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Sunny, Temperature 35 F / 45 F
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: None
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Food Inventory, EVA Report #01, EVA Report #02, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Astronomer Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos.
Support Requested: None

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 13-02-2025

Sol: 11

Summary Title:

Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Another day waking up before 7am to start with the daily exercise routine, and the crew feels strong. The first EVA was planned to start at 9:00 am but they got delayed and started around 9:45 am. However all the EVA goals were met. The crew drove north along Cow Drung road and stopped at different locations to collect geological samples, and film scenes for the documentary. This EVA was conducted by Ariadna Farres (Commander), Marian Martinez (Geologist), Mònica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist) and Marta Ferrer (Filmmaker). Inside the base, Anna Bach (Resident Artist) added color to one of the drawings she has been working on for her Children’s Book. Helena Arias (Engineer) finished 3D printed some late designs, while Jennifer Garcia (Journalist) and Estel Blay (Scientist) recorded the progress of the TomatoSphere experiment.

The crew enjoyed a nice and relaxing lunch, and started to get ready for the afternoon. Around 2:45 pm the crew started their second EVA, led by Jennifer Garcia, accompanied by Helena Arias and Estel Blay. The EVA team filmed the surroundings of the base and then drove to North Ridge and explored the martian landscape. Inside the base, Ariadna Farres processed some of the solar images while Anna Back kept working on her drawings. Mònica Roca tried flying the drone from the Musk Observatory to do a 3D map of the base and surroundings.

These are the last days of the simulation and the crew is trying to wrap up everything before the last SOL.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow is the last day of simulation, the crew is looking forward to wrapping up their projects.

Anomalies in work: A helmet accidentally fell on the floor and the 3D printed ring broke.

Weather: Cloudy, Temperature 30 F / 35 F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: Crew 310 conducted two EVAs. Morning EVA’s goal was to film more scenes of the crew on an EVA for the documentary Marta Ferrer is working on. Afternoon EVA’s goal was to record some of the projects by Jennifer Garcia.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request #22, EVA Report #20 #21, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: none

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 13-02-2025
Sol: 12
Summary Title: Ha_Nevat on Mars!
Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
Today was the last Sol on Mars, and Mars had a surprise for the Hypatia crew. They woke up with a white martian landscape, it had snowed during the night. Before starting their day the crew gathered around the Musk observatory to admire this unexpected event. The day couldn’t start on a happier note.
After breakfast, part of the crew embarked on their last EVA. Monica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer), Jennifer Garcia (Journalist) and Helena Arias (Engineer) walked around the base to do some maintenance of the corner reflector and record some videos for one of the research projects.
Anna Bach (Resident Artist), Marina Martinez (GreenHab Officer), Marta Ferrer (Filmmaker) and Ariadna Farres (Commander) stayed inside the base focused on finishing some of their research projects and started to pack.
Around 1:30 pm the crew enjoyed their last lunch on Mars together. At 3pm the simulation was broken and the crew was back on Earth. It has been an amazing journey that will stay in our memories for many years.
Look Ahead Plan: the crew is looking forward to getting back home and reuniting with their loved ones.
Anomalies in work: none
Weather: Cloudy, Temperature 22 F / 44 F
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: Crew 310 conducted one EVAs. Morning EVA’s goal was to do maintenance on the corner reflector and film some videos around the base.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary,EVA Report #22, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.
Support Requested: none

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 09-02-2025

Sol: 7

Summary Title: A Birthday on Mars

Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

The crew woke up around 6:45am to start with their daily exercise routine in the bottom deck. A first group, Ariadna Farres (Commander), Anna Bach (Executive Officer and resident artist), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer), exercised from 7 am to 7:30 am and the second group, Helena Arians (Engineer), Monica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist), Jennifer Garcia (Journalist) and Marina Martinez (Greenhab officer), exercised from 7:30 am to 8:00 am.

After that we enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast. Today is a special day, our crew engineer completed a new turn around the Sun. Our excitement for the day meant that most of our EVA started later than planned.

During the morning EVA, Monica Roca i Aparici and Helena Arias worked on the corner reflector, installing some side bars for the final position of the antenna. In the meantime Estel Blay checked her solar panel experiment and used a 360 camera to scan the exterior of the MDRS base, guided by Jennifer Garcia from the inside. The rest of the crew worked on their research projects, observing the Sun, analyzing geological samples and filming the crew activity for the documentary.

The afternoon EVA was lead by Marina Martinez, and joined by Ariadna Farres, Marta Ferrer and Jennifer Garcia. This EVA started an hour late because they had to complete a project that was time sensitive. The EVA team intended to reach Green Mars View but they missed the turn on the road and ended by the fence at Lilith Canyon Road. At that point the communication with the base was lost and the team changed the sampling to ensure continuous communication with the base. However, they were told by mission control to come back to the base early.

Around 5:30 pm they started working on their midterm mission report and planning their EVA activities for the next week.

Anomalies in work: The lock from the Musk Observatory could not be unlocked after entering the observatory. A new lock was provided by mission support.

Weather: Sunny, Temperature 21 F / 47 F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: Crew 310 conducted two EVAs. The morning EVA was around the base, to work on the corner reflector and record the exterior of the base with a 360 camera. The afternoon EVA had the goal to reach Green Mars View but the crew missed the turn and ended at Lilith Canyon Road, resulting in an early return to the base.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request #14 #15, EVA Report #12 #13, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: none

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 10-02-2025

Sol: 8

Summary Title: Corner Reflector to Space, do you copy!

Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: The crew members woke up early to start their daily exercise routine. After last night’s birthday celebration, the crew was feeling a little tired, but after breakfast and a morning coffee the energy was up.

Today was a relaxing day, where most of the crew had time to work on their respective projects.

Monica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist), Helena Arias (Engineer), and Marta Ferrer (Filmmaker) went on the first EVA, with the goal of finishing the installation of the corner reflector. They mounted the final bars and moved the antenna to its final configuration. They were excited to finalize the project. Ariadna Farres (Commander), Anna Bach (Resident Artist), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer), Marina Martinez (Geologist), Jennifer Garcia (Journalist) stayed inside the base. Ariadna, Anna and Estel had the opportunity of observing the Sun at the Musk Observatory. Marina analyzed geological samples in the science dome and Jennifer did some recording inside the main Hab.

In the afternoon, Ariadna Farres, Anna Bach and Estel Blay went out on an EVA to Cowboy’s Corner and Marble Ritual. During this EVA they collected geological samples, enjoyed the Martian views and tested the handling system of the experimental EVA support system. Around 4:30pm they were back in the station and helped Monica Roca i Aparici and Helena Arias to clean the RAM. After the installation of the corner reflector, the large box inside the RAM was moved to one of the corridors to free some space. Marina, Jennifer and Marta stayed all afternoon inside the base working on their projects.

At 6:30 pm the crew started talking about the EVA plans for the next day and working on their daily reports. They are now looking forward to another dinner on Mars.

Look Ahead Plan: The crew is looking forward to tomorrow’s EVA and to continue working on their research projects that are starting to show good progress.

Weather: Sunny, Temperature 21 F / 52 F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: Crew 310 conducted two EVAs. The morning EVA was around the base to finish the installation of the corner reflector. The afternoon EVA was to collect geological samples and test the experimental EVA support system for future lunar and martian missions.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request #16 #17, EVA Report #14 #15, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: none