[category science-report]
Mid mission report – Crew 314
Crew 314 – First Days on Mars: Adapting, Exploring, and Connecting
Crew 314 officially landed on the surface of Mars on April 6, 2025, at noon Earth time. Upon arrival, we quickly familiarize ourselves with the station and, after a restorative night’s sleep, began working on our respective experiments and preparing for the first EVAs.
The first two sols were particularly intense, filled with a fast-paced sequence of reports, extravehicular activities, experiment setup, station tasks, and the necessary adjustments to the Martian simulation lifestyle. A bit of confusion surrounding reporting procedures during these initial days added to the challenge, but the crew quickly adapted and found its rhythm.
Over the following three sols, although the schedule remained full, we were able to manage our tasks more efficiently. This allowed us to take moments to truly appreciate the experience of living and working on “Mars”: admiring the stunning landscape, sharing moments of team bonding through cooking, card games, and informal discussions.
These early days have laid the groundwork for a cohesive, resilient, and motivated crew, ready to make the most of the mission ahead.
Experiments:
This section provides an overview of the current status and recent developments in the various research projects being conducted by the crew. Each experiment continues to evolve in alignment with its objectives.
Odile Hilgers (Health and Safety Officer):
As Health and Safety Officer for this analog Martian mission, I am leading a series of six medical simulations designed to assess crisis management and team coordination in an isolated and confined environment. These scenarios are inspired by realistic medical emergencies and are adapted to the operational constraints of life in a Martian habitat. The program is structured to gradually increase in complexity and immersion: the first two simulations serve as training exercises, the next two are designed as Earth-based medical scenarios, and the final two will simulate emergencies occurring on Mars. Each simulation unfolds in three phases: a briefing, during which participants receive clinical background on the patient, including medical history and the story of the present illness; the simulation itself, involving three role-players and three observers; and finally, a 30 to 45-minute debriefing session centered around Crisis Resource Management (CRM) principles. During the debrief, all participants complete the Ottawa Global Rating Scale (Ottawa GRS), providing a structured evaluation of team performance. So far, three scenarios have been conducted, all taking place inside the Hab, both on the upper and lower decks. Data analysis will be conducted once all six simulations are completed, in order to evaluate behavioral patterns, decision-making processes, and overall team efficiency in high-stress situations.
Bérengère Bastogne (GreenHab Officer):
The experiments conducted at the Mars Desert Research Station are part of my doctoral thesis. The main objective is to evaluate the impact of Martian environmental stresses – UV radiation (A, B and C), temperature (hot-cold cycles), gravity and substrate (regolith) – on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). These fungi are obligate symbionts that associate with plant roots and can supply them up to 80% of total phosphorus and nitrogen. As one of the most important mutualistic microorganisms for global food production, AMF are essential elements to be considered for the development of future colonies on Mars.
Understanding how AMF respond to environmental conditions is critical. Since they are closely associated with plants, any parameter affecting spores could impact essential AMF functions and indirectly impact plant growth and plant health. However, despite their crucial role, little is known about how these environmental stresses affect these microorganisms. Therefore, expanding our knowledge in this area is crucial.
My research is divided into two experiments. The first aims to study the effects of these stresses on spore germination. The second focuses on the ability of spores, after exposure to stresses, to associate with plant roots.
The initial step involved estimating the number of spores in 10 g soil (to prepare for the first and second experiments). I then exposed the soil – containing spores – in Petri dishes or Falcon tubes to different conditions for 48h. For the germination study, approximately 10 g of soil (containing 30-40 spores) was used per condition. For the root association study, I used 10 g per condition, with six replicates.
To test the substrate stress, I isolated spores from 6x10g of soil and transferred them into regolith. The environmental conditions were applied as follows:
Temperature: Petri dishes were placed outside (near the entrance of the ScienceDome)
Gravity: Falcon tubes were attached to the Random Positioning Machine (RPM) – placed in the ScienceDome at room temperature
UV: Petri dishes were placed under a UV lamp in the ScienceDome at room temperature
Substrate: Spores were placed in Petri dishes filled with regolith, kept in the ScienceDome at room temperature
Control: Petri dishes were placed in the ScienceDome at room temperature without any added stress
After 48h, for the germination study, I isolated spores from the soil samples exposed to the different conditions. Then, to prevent contamination in subsequent steps, I disinfected the spores using various solutions. Once disinfected, I placed four spores on each membrane, which was then folded in half twice. The membranes were then buried in a moistened soil mix within Petri dishes and incubated in the ScienceDome at room temperature.
For the second experiment, I mixed the stressed soils (post-48h exposure) with a soil mix in small pots. After moistening, I transplanted ten plantain seedlings (germinated in the greenhouse approximately one week earlier) into each pot. All pots were labeled and placed in the ScienceDome at room temperature.
On Wednesday 16 April, I will assess spore germination and viability by transferring each membrane to a a separate Petri dish and adding a drop of methyl thiazolyl diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) to each spore. Since MTT is photosensitive, I will cover the Petri dishes with aluminium foil and keep them in the ScienceDome at room temperature. After 24h, I will observe the germination and viability of each spore.
On Thursday 17 April, I will evaluate the association between AMF spores and plant roots. All plantain seedlings will be harvested and stained using a series of treatments (bleach, vinegar and ink) at 70°C (oven). After staining, I will observe each seeding roots under a microscope to determine whether there is any point of contact between the AMF and the roots.
During the EVAs, I collected soil samples to identify the AMF species present in the Utah desert soil, depending on their characteristics. If time permits, I will expose the spores found in these samples to the various stress conditions for 48h, then assess their viability with MTT.
Batoul Tani (Crew Journalist):
As part of the microbiological experiments conducted during the MDRS mission, I have been investigating the resistance of two bacterial species, Escherichia coli and Bacillus thuringiensis, to various environmental stressors that simulate Martian surface conditions. These include UV-C radiation, temperature fluctuations, and the potential protective effect of native soil samples.
During the initial phase of the mission, I dedicated my time to the preparation of culture media, including LB broth and agar plates in Petri dishes, to ensure consistent and sterile growth conditions throughout the experiments.
For Escherichia coli, I carried out two main exposure experiments. The first consisted of an 8-hour exposure to UV-C light to evaluate the bacterium’s tolerance to high doses of ultraviolet radiation. The second experiment involved placing the bacterial cultures outdoors for 48 hours, exposing them to natural day-night cycles and ambient temperature fluctuations. These conditions aimed to simulate the thermal variations that would be encountered on the Martian surface. Over the next few days, I intend to monitor the potential development of biofilm structures under these stress conditions, as biofilm formation can serve as a protective survival mechanism in harsh environments.
For Bacillus thuringiensis, I implemented a similar 8-hour UV-C exposure protocol, with an additional variable: the presence or absence of soil collected from the Cowboy Corner site. This was done to explore the potential shielding effect of local soil against radiation. The samples were also subjected to either stable or cyclic temperature conditions to assess how thermal fluctuations interact with UV stress and soil protection. In the upcoming days, I will perform a comparative analysis of colony-forming units (CFUs) to quantify survival rates across the different experimental conditions.
These experiments aim to contribute to our understanding of microbial resilience in analog Martian environments, which has implications for both planetary protection and the feasibility of microbial-based life support systems.
Louis Baltus (Crew Astronomer):
The first experiment I am conducting during the MDRS simulation is centered on developing a solar weather monitoring system using the Musk Observatory. The objective is to design a tool that could one day be deployed on Mars to monitor solar activity and protect astronauts from potentially harmful radiation.
However, the experiment faced delays during the initial phase of the mission. Due to a lack of sufficient prior training and self-education on the telescope’s operation, I was unable to use the observatory effectively for the first several days. This resulted in a significant setback to the planned data collection schedule.
Yesterday, I was finally able to perform my first imaging session with the telescope. This marked a critical step forward, but it also became apparent that the data acquisition process is far more time-consuming than anticipated. Given the remaining time in the mission and the complexity of the equipment, I have decided to focus exclusively on capturing high-quality solar images for the rest of the rotation. The full exploitation and analysis of this data will be carried out after the mission concludes.
Unfortunately, today’s weather conditions were unfavorable, with high winds and heavy cloud cover making telescope operations nearly impossible. Despite this, I remain optimistic. With continued practice and clearer skies in the coming days, I expect my proficiency to improve significantly, allowing for better and more frequent image acquisition.
The second experiment, conducted under the supervision of a professor from UCLouvain, investigates astronaut-computer interaction (ACI) via gesture-based controls—an area that has seen very limited study to date. The goal is to evaluate the practicality and cognitive workload associated with using wearable gesture recognition systems in analog Martian conditions.
Two commercial devices, the TapStrap and TapXR, are being evaluated. Both allow users to input commands via a predefined set of 16 finger gestures. These gestures are intended to serve as an alternative to conventional interaction methods, especially in scenarios where gloves, mobility constraints, or interface limitations would hinder performance.
A baseline data collection session was completed before the mission under standard Earth conditions. During the simulation, I am conducting two test sessions with a participant to measure gesture memorization, recognition accuracy, and production time:
The first session took place on Sol 4, with the participant wearing normal indoor clothing. The session was completed without incident, and all necessary data was recorded.
The second session is scheduled for Sol 8, during which the participant will wear a full astronaut suit. This test will simulate extravehicular activity conditions and allow us to assess how the suit’s physical constraints—such as limited dexterity and sensory feedback—affect gesture-based interaction.
As the experimenter, I am responsible for guiding the participant through the testing protocol and recording all performance metrics. The comparison between the pre-mission, Sol 4, and Sol 8 sessions will provide valuable insights into the feasibility of gesture-based controls for future space missions.
The findings from this study are expected to inform the development of more ergonomic and intuitive human-computer interfaces tailored for constrained environments such as the surface of Mars.
Antoine Dubois (Crew Engineer):
As part of my experiment, I aim to measure sediment transport in an arid environment analogous to that of Mars. The primary objective of this study is to assess wind-driven erosion dynamics and to draw lessons applicable to the protection of structures built on Mars, where extreme climatic conditions and a thin atmosphere suggest a slow but continuous process of erosion.
In the field, I have installed dust collectors at three different heights — 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm — in order to observe variations in particle size distribution depending on their transport height. This approach will help identify whether certain grain sizes are more likely to be transported at specific altitudes, which could have practical implications for the design and durability of Martian infrastructure.
To complement these measurements, I have also deployed a data logger to record local environmental conditions, along with a sensor under each dust collector that measures soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity. These parameters will help me better understand how soil conditions influence sediment movement.
The collected samples will later be analyzed using three different sieves (2 mm, 500 µm, and 250 µm), allowing me to classify the particles by size and create detailed granulometric profiles for each height. These analyses will provide valuable insights into aeolian transport mechanisms in desert environments and their applicability to Martian conditions.
At the midpoint of the mission, all instruments are functioning properly, and the first samples will be collected within a day or two. Initial wind speed and direction data have also been retrieved from the computer available in the HAB. By the end of the mission, this experiment is expected to yield useful and relevant results for research on the adaptation of human infrastructure to the Martian environment.
Béatrice Hollander and Arnaud de Wergifosse (Crew Commander and Crew Executive Officer):
The primary objective of this joint study is to evaluate the effects of a dietary supplementation combining a probiotic (Lactobacillus helveticus) and an amino acid (glycine), compared to a placebo, on stress levels as well as sleep quality and duration. Physiological data have been collected nightly, including heart rate, heart rate variability, total sleep time, and sleep quality, using scientifically validated wearable devices (Oura rings®). Given the highly similar living conditions among crew members during the nighttime period, this timeframe is particularly suitable for such data collection.
To account for potential confounding variables, additional physiological measures such as skin body temperature and oxygen saturation are also monitored. In parallel with these objective physiological indicators, participants completed three self-report questionnaires providing a subjective, behavioral perspective. These instruments assess perceived stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale-10), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and satisfaction with sleep over the preceding week (PROMIS sleep disturbance).
Furthermore, all crew members engage in a daily session of cardiac coherence—a controlled breathing technique consisting of 5-minute cycles of respiration, characterized by inhaling for 5 seconds and exhaling for 5 seconds. This practice is included to assess its potential effects on stress regulation and sleep, as well as any interaction it may have with the proposed supplementation.
Preliminary trends suggest possible intra-individual variations. Some crew members appear to experience improved sleep duration during the mission compared to their baseline data collected prior to the simulation. However, no significant intergroup differences have been observed at this stage. The majority of the crew has responded positively to the cardiac coherence practice, reporting reductions in stress levels both during and after the sessions.
To date, no significant differences have been identified between the supplementation and placebo groups. In other words, the dietary supplement does not yet appear to exert a notable influence on the measured outcomes.