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EVA Report – April 2nd

Crew 313 EVA Report 02-04-2025

EVA # 4

Author: Jen Carver-Hunter

Purpose of EVA: Helmet Test Data Collection

Start time: 14:00

End time: 15:00

Narrative: The crew left the Hab and turned north on Cow Dung Rd. They started at the Marble Ritual and then walked slightly east and south to examine geologic samples while testing the suits and helmets. By the end of the EVA, crew was tired and returned to the Hab via Cow Dung Rd.

Destination: Marble Ritual and surrounding area

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518500, 4251000

Participants: David Joy, Emily Lehnardt, Riley Nuttycombe, and Samantha Reynolds

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road to Marble Ritual and then back to the Hab

Mode of travel: N/A

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Sol Summary – March 28th

Morning Briefing
The day began with a briefing on the mission objectives and safety protocols. Today’s EVA focused on searching for signs of life on Mars and identifying an optimal site for a new habitat to be built. Students utilized scientific instruments to analyze soil and rock samples while also assessing terrain stability, radiation exposure, and resource availability for future habitat construction. Today’s EVA ended in a simulated electrocution that led to cardiac arrest in one of the team members.

Cardiac Arrest Response and CPR in Space Environments
Objective: Perform an emergency medical response to a cardiac arrest scenario in a simulated EVA environment.

Teams identified and responded to a simulated astronaut experiencing cardiac arrest.

Students practiced performing CPR under simulated Martian gravity conditions, incorporating modifications for effectiveness in reduced gravity.

Automated external defibrillator (AED) protocols were reviewed and applied in the field.

Communication strategies were tested to ensure clear relay of patient status and intervention steps between EVA teams and the Hab.

Debriefing and Lessons Learned
Following the EVA, students participated in a debriefing session where they discussed key takeaways, challenges faced, and strategies for improvement. The session reinforced the importance of quick medical decision-making, teamwork, and adapting life-saving techniques for extraterrestrial environments. Students also discussed medical futility and the ethical challenges of losing a crewmember.

End of Week Reflection and Movie Night
To close out the week, students gathered for a movie night, providing a chance to reflect on the skills they developed and the challenges they tackled throughout the training program. The event fostered camaraderie and offered a well-deserved break after an intense week of mission simulations.

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EVA Report – April 1st

Crew 313 EVA Report 01-04-2025

EVA # 2

Author: Jen Carver-Hunter

Purpose of EVA: Data Collection for Helmet Test

Start time: 15:00

End time: 16:30

Narrative: The EVA team departed the Hab through the RAM airlock and walked to Cow Dung Rd. From there, the crew turned north and walked to the marble ritual, picking up an offering for the ritual baskets on the way. While at the Marble Ritual, the crew walked around, climbed a small hill, picked up samples, and simulated a full scope geologic EVA in order to test the helmets and backpack systems that were developed by R. Nuttycombe. After collecting a sufficient amount of data to report, the crew returned back to the Hab via Cow Dung Rd.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518500, 4251000

Participants: Jen Carver-Hunter, David Joy, Becca Hodgkinson, Emily Lehnart, and Riley Nuttycombe

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Crew walked north on Cow Dung Road to Marble Ritual and then returned to the Hab by walking south on Cow Dung Road.

Mode of travel: Walking

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EVA Report – April 1st

Crew 313 EVA Report 01-04-2025

EVA # 1

Author: Jen Carver-Hunter

Purpose of EVA: Geologic sample collection

Start time: 10:00

End time: 12:00

Narrative: The crew was prepped and ready for their EVA shortly after 10:00. They used Spirit, Perseverance, and Opportunity rovers to travel to Brahe Hwy to collect their first specimens. Then they turned south on Cow Dung Rd and drove to their second location, which was near the balancing rock south of dry creek wash to collect their second and third specimens. Poor weather moved in, so mission control requested that the crew finish their sample collection and return to the Hab. In spite of moving quickly to return, they did get caught in a little bit of precipitation.

Destination: Intersection with Brahe Hwy followed by mounds near the balancing rock south of dry creek wash

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518000, 4254750 and 518000, 4254000

Participants: David Joy, Becca Hodgkinson, Emily Lehnart, Riley Nuttycombe, and Samantha Reynolds

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Crew took rovers from the Hab to Cow Dung Rd, turned north onto Cow Dung Rd, and followed it to the intersection with Brahe Hwy. From there, they turned south on Cow Dung Rd to the second collection site south of dry creek wash. From the second site, they returned to the Hab on Cow Dung Rd.

Mode of travel: Spirit, Opportunity, and Perseverance Rovers

Rover hours
Spirit: Before EVA 271.4, After EVA 271.9
Perseverance: Before EVA 315.9, After EVA 316.6
Opportunity: Before EVA 211.6, After EVA 212.3

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Journalist Report – April 1st

MDRS Journalist Log SOL 1
01 April 2025
By David Joy

Today Crew 313 woke to blustery but safe winds after a safe entry onto Mars to start Sol 1 and began to prepare for our first EVA. After a wonderful breakfast, we began to suit up and prepare to enter the airlock.

In this EVA five of the six crew members ventured out heading for two separate locations in order to collect samples of gypsum, sandstone, and if possible, sandstone “blueberries”. We made good time to the first location and were able to collect more than enough gypsum. The samples were high quality, and often contained trace colors of yellow, brown, or amber.

We then traveled to the second location, we struggled to find the location, even with the coordinates. We did find a location in which we were able to find the necessary sandstone and sandstone “blueberries”, along with numerous other amazing samples. There were a variety of sandstone samples of various colors, often layered, and the EVA team was successful at locating some of the sandstone “blueberries” which were dark in quality and of average quality.

We were so caught up in the marvel of the Martian geology that we nearly missed our time to return to the Hab. To make matters more interesting, we had a storm come up on us with stronger winds, and temperature drop, and even some precipitation.

We were able to make it back to the Hab only a minute or so late, without anyone getting impaled or left behind (Take that Mark Watney!!!).

We then ate lunch and had time to rest and recover for a bit, at which point we then suited up for our second EVA, in which we would be testing some new helmet designs made by our own crew member Riley Nuttycombe!

Our second EVA was a walking EVA in which we walked to the Marble Ritual site, in which we participated, and then did several things to test the new helmet designs, such as climbing to test maneuverability and sampling to test visibility and productivity, as well as overall comfort. It was a very successful and helpful test, and a safe and productive EVA.

To end the Sol we are preparing dinner, tying up loose ends, and resting in preparation for tomorrow and another amazing and productive Sol.

Crew 313 signing off.

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Supplemental Operations Report – March 29th

Date: 3/29/2025
Name of person filing report: Ben Stanley
Reason for Report: Routine
Non-Nominal Systems: Crew car. Power system battery, invertors, generator. Robotic observatory. HAB outer shell, tunnels.

Power system:
Solar: The battery bank does not hold charge when sun is down and low on the horizon. Inverter Slave 1 and 2 went offline and do not restart, which limits us to 5kW when on solar.
Main generator has been monitored for oil leaks; minor leaks observed, Moreover, generattor is comsuming oil because of worn piston rings. Adding oil every day is necessary. Generator is limited to 8kW, see previous reports for details.
Main generator:
1) Oil, oil filter changed on 3/27/2025. Hours: 9045.6
2) Current hours – 9089.2

Propane Readings:
Did not notice refill
Station Tank: 79%
Director Tank: 77%
Intern Tank: 86%
Generator Tank: 56%

Water:
Hab Static Tank – 550 gallons
GreenHab – 200 gallons
Outpost tank – 550 gallons

Rovers:
Sojourner rover used: Yes
Hours: 212.5
Beginning Charge: 100 %
Ending Charge: 100 %
Currently Charging: No
Notes on Rovers: None.

Cars:
Hab Car used and why, where: To Hanksville for supplies.
Crew Car used and why, where: No.
General notes and comments: Crew car driver’s side front ball joint is bad. Low oil pressure is most likely caused by a bad sensor (it does not change due to RPM or temperature like it should).

Summary of Internet: Nominal

EVA suits and radios:
Suits: Nominal.
Comms: Nominal.
T-Echo EVA-link: Astro8 is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.

Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why: Tunnel tarp repaired and will hopefully last until the end of the season.
Summary of Hab Operations: Small cracks in the wall of the Hab in the loft area are allowing cold air intrusion.
Summary of GreenHab Operations: Nominal
Summary of SciDome Operations: Nominal
Summary of Observatories Operations: Robotic observatory offline.
Summary of RAM Operations: Nominal
Summary of Outpost Operations: Director’s Trailer furnace is malfunctioning intermittently. My guess is bad sensor(s) or problems with the logic board.
Summary of Health and Safety Issues: Nominal

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Crew Bios, Photos – April 6th

Béatrice Hollander – Crew Commander
Medical student
Currently in the second year of my master’s degree in medicine, I will be serving as the Crew Commander for this expedition. I have always been fascinated by space, particularly its effects on the human body. My research will focus on the effects of Lactobacillus helveticus on sleep and stress with Arnaud de Wergifosse.

Louis Baltus – Crew Astronomer
Data Science (Statistics) student
I began a master’s in data science a few months ago, and it was my strong interest in space and its industry that inspired me to join MARS UCLouvain. I am thrilled to take on the role of Crew Astronomer this year. My project will focus on developing a solar weather model to anticipate radiation levels on the surface of Mars.

Arnaud de Wergifosse – Crew Executive Officer
Cognitive and Behavioural Neurosciences & Physiotherapy student
With a master’s degree in cognitive and behavioral neurosciences and as a final-year physiotherapy student, my passion for human biology and lifelong fascination with space naturally led me to join the MARS UCLouvain project. Since joining in 2024, I’ve greatly valued its interdisciplinary approach and the challenge of contributing to such a large-scale organization. Motivated by the discoveries and experiences it offers, I am extending my involvement into 2025. My research will focus on the effects of Lactobacillus helveticus on sleep and stress with Béatrice Hollander.

Batoul Tani – Crew Journalist
Biology student
I have always been curious about the possibilities of life and how it behaves in the diverse environments of our universe. The MARS UCLouvain project is the ideal opportunity to immerse myself in astrobiology research. This year, I will take on the role of Crew Journalist, focusing on the survival of model bacteria to Mars-like UV-C

Antoine Dubois – Crew Engineer
Geographical Sciences student
I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Geographical Sciences at UCLouvain. As a Crew Engineer, I am also working on my thesis regarding the acceptability of agrivoltaic projects in Wallonia. Passionate about fieldwork, I am preparing an experiment to quantify sediment transport in arid areas. Identifying areas of interest for robotic and human missions includes lunar poles, Martian valleys, and volcanic regions, which offer opportunities for scientific research and resource exploitation.

Dr. Odile Hilgers – Crew Health and Safety Officer
Physician, Pediatric Resident
I am a pediatric resident and will serve as the Health and Safety Officer for the Syrtis Crew. Drawing from my medical expertise, I will focus on adapting Crisis Resource Management (CRM) principles to space environments. My goal is to explore how CRM can be applied to medical emergencies in isolated missions, identifying key adaptations for resource-limited and high-stress conditions, similar to those expected during future Mars expeditions.

Bérengère Bastogne – Crew GreenHab Officer
Bioengineer, PhD student
Currently in the final year of my PhD in bioengineering at the Mycology Laboratory of the Earth and Life Institute (ELI, UCLouvain), I will take on the role of GreenHab Officer for the Syrtis Mission. Fascinated by the development of life in space, I aim to combine this passion with my research by studying the growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under Mars-like stress.