2022-2023 Field Season (#22)

Crew 311 Journalist Report 19Feb2025
SOL 2: “Why do astronauts have laundry problems? Because they are always in space!”
Author – Isolde Louzier-Ricalens

10:06AM: Second day at the station. This day seems more usual; no extravehicular activity is planned. The crew focuses on assembling various experiments that need to be installed throughout the station, and each member attends to their daily tasks. Quentin, Robin, and I assembled and tested the atmospheric instruments. We were very efficient and plan to install them outside tomorrow. Meanwhile, Célyan and Somaya are setting up the Orbital Architecture experiment, which will track our position within the station. Meddi organized the greenhouse to set up Micropouss’, an experiment in collaboration with the startup Neopouss’, which allows us to grow microgreens that will enhance our meals. So far, we have only eaten meals prepared from lyophilized ingredients or long-lasting ones. These plants will have a significant impact on our well-being.

4:18PM: Finally, we got to taste the products from the greenhouse! At lunch, Meddi brought us a little surprise: small tomatoes and radishes collected in the GreenHab. The evening promises to be delicious as well, since Somaya prepared the dough for Moroccan bread that we are eager to cook and taste tonight! The afternoon was productive: our progress on the atmospheric instruments allowed Robin and me to set up AMAIA’s servers, the AI assistant of Spaceship FR. Everything is not yet perfect, but this standalone AI, meaning it works without the internet, could be very useful! However, its humor is unique… The title of the report bears witness to that. In parallel, Erin works on the crew schedules, and Quentin is already developing his first photos of the sun taken in the observatory!

5:27PM: I finished my first cognitive assessment in the HAB, our main habitat. It was pretty difficult to focus among the very animated crew members around. While some of them have already set up the lights or LättaLL experiment in the core habitat, Somaya has cooked her little breads. They are delicious!

Sol 1: « It’s a small step for me, a bigger one for Quentin » –

Author – Isolde Louzier-Ricalens

6:30AM: First awakening in the station. After getting out of bed, the crew already get busy, checking their daily morning tasks. We measure our physiological data for the Core Data experiment, that will allow us to transfer data to the researchers needing them. After that, it’s time to follow our first sport session, animated by Célyan. No time to lose for Crew 311: as soon as finished, we clean ourselves (but with wipes, like in the ISS!), we dress up, and we finally close the door of the station. Let’s go for a busy day!

11:19AM: I just came back from my first EVA, an ExtraVehicular Activity. Meddi, Quentin, Robin and I did our first training. We found the perfect place for the atmospheric instruments: Marble Rituals. We will set them up later during the week. The analog Martian desert looked very vast, such as the sky that overlooked it. I had the honour to step on its ground first, and to pronounce our first words: « it’s a small step for me, a bigger one for Quentin ».

During this time, the rest of the crew did our food inventory.

3:00PM: During the beginning of the afternoon, every crew member goes to their business. Meddi waters the plants, Robin takes inventory of the RAM, whereas Somaya takes the Science Dome’s one, and Quentin takes charge of the solar observatory. Everyone got together then, to setup Somaya, Erin and Célyan for their EVA training.

6:50PM: The afternoon was productive. While some of us were preparing Orbital Architecture experiment, some other were managing the building of supports for our atmospheric instruments. The communication window is approaching, and now the whole crew answer their daily questionnaires.