2022-2023 Field Season (#22)

Journalist Report

Nicole Chan, Crew 290 Journalist

01.13.2024

Sol 6

Our crew awoke feeling rested for the long day ahead. We have two target sample selection sites for today’s EVA #7, to be led by Rebecca (Chopper), Ben (Funk), Anna (Roots), and myself (PODO). But before that, we need to prepare solutions to test the pH of the soil samples in the field. So, the crew went off to the ScienceDome to begin preparations. Madelyn (Melon) reviewed geological notes of the Candor Chasma region to give the EVA crew an idea of what a viable sample collection site could look like. Meanwhile, Chopper led Anja (Freebee) on loading the microfluidic devices with the samples from Sol 4. We found more pH meters! As Funk and I calibrated them, we realized that their functionality will make them suitable for the field, which made today’s EVA data even more fruitful.

After a lunch of pasta, the EVA crew suited up and drove the rovers to Candor Chasma. The road was bumpy but made for a fun (but also safe) ride. Upon reaching the area around Compass Rock, the crew decided to disembark and start searching for viable sites. We were looking for strips of darker red soil layered by white layers which denote gypsum deposits (where there could be signs of life!). After selecting a site, we got to work taking temperature, ATP, and pH measurements of the soil. We also took soil samples to see if there are any signs of microbial life too. As the clouds were rolling in and it was nearing sunset, we stepped up our measurements at our second site as well before heading back to the Hab. We returned on time and got to share our findings with the rest of the crew.

The crew has also put their heads together to flesh out the science protocols for processing these samples to best maintain consistency and get statistically significant results (with limited chemical supplies as well). We found great workarounds that still maintain the fidelity of our tests so we’ll be busying ourselves with those measurements and imaging in the coming days. Tomorrow, however, will be our rest day. After an Earth week of getting situated and gathering samples, it’s a well-deserved break for all of us. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s report to see what kind of fun things we’ll get up to!

Photo of the Day: pHenomenalogy studies.JPG

Journalist Report

Nicole Chan, Crew 290 Journalist

01.10.2024

Sol 3

At the end of Sol 2, we successfully carried out our callsign ceremony, officially naming Melon (Madelyn), Chopper (Rebecca), Freebee (Anja), Funk (Ben), Roots (Anna), and PODO (Nicole). After two busy Sols of onboarding and settling into our rotation, the crew was granted a later start in their work day. We all awoke from a great night of sleep to the smell of coffee and bread, courtesy of Anja (Freebee) testing out the bread machine before bed. The sun was already out and shining through our Hab windows and made for a pleasant start to Sol 3. The crew seized the day and went straight to work after a breakfast of pancakes from Freebee (stepping up her cooking for sure). With chocolate chips and plenty of condiments (peanut butter and Nutella), it was a unanimously amazing meal and brings back great memories of having similar pancakes on Earth.

In preparation for EVA 4, Freebee worked on troubleshooting any issues with REMI and was successful in the setup. Ben (Funk) and Anna (Roots) were performing soil salinity tests in the GreenHab while Rebecca (Chopper) continued setting up the ScienceDome for the sample collection EVA and Madelyn (Melon) evaluated the area’s geology for future EVA sites. Our lunch was a nostalgic PB&J sandwich with Freebee’s homemade bread. Though dense, the bread had a mild sweetness to it and gave us the energy to continue with our Sol 3 objectives. Shortly after, EVA 4 crew, which consisted of Freebee, Funk, and myself (Podo), began suiting up and headed out to the Hab’s surrounding area with REMI. It was a very productive and successful EVA! REMI roamed around several geological points of interest and collected radar data while Funk and Podo identified viable sample collection sites and proceeded with temperature and salinity tests of the soil alongside sample collection. Funk settled into a routine where he was responsible for digging at the sites while I took pictures of the site as well as the measurements of the soil sample depth. The shovel we had on hand took a toll as Funk was determined to collect samples on the surface in smectite, at 3 inches deep in clay, and at 6 inches deep into shale at the site. The physical demand of the task was well worth the scientific output of the samples. We are all excited to see what we will find through the soil tests. With Melon on CAPCOM, we made plenty of field notes that will aid in our analysis.

After returning from the EVA, Funk headed over to the GreenHab to mist the precious plant babies and performed valuable knowledge transfer with Crew 289’s GreenHab officer Riya to understand how to better support the plant growth. In addition, the plants had a more diverse music therapy today so hopefully they feel loved and cared for by our crew. Chopper was hard at work in the ScienceDome at the laminar fume hood to set up microfluidic device tests to process the soil samples from EVA 4. Dinner is served by Funk tonight and smells amazing as I am writing this report. It will be Hearty Chicken and Potatoes with a side of mixed vegetables and a sour cream dill sauce (from our dill harvest yester-sol). We cannot wait to dig in and look ahead at the rest of this week’s EVAs and review science objectives together. The science experiments are all set up and as Chopper introduces the crew to the testing protocol, we look forward to making awesome findings in the coming days.

Photo of the Day: 290-01_10_2024 eva 4 begins