Commander Report – November 24th

Sol: 11
Summary Title: Winding Down on Mars
Author’s name: Dr. Jenni Hesterman, Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Commander Report:

The crew enjoyed an extra hour of sleep today, then met to discuss the day’s schedule. In the last EVA of the mission, the Commander and XO investigated the Special Region. They left the HSO in charge of the station to exercise delegation of authority and prepare her to command future analog missions.

Meanwhile, back at the station, crewmembers accomplished final activities related to their mission research projects. Our students are starting their academic papers and presentations. For dinner, the team enjoyed leftover food from yesterday’s Thanksgiving celebration.

We also accomplished training on the gifts of fear and intuition, and talked about the adjourning stage of group development. In 1965, psychologist Bruce Wayne Tuckman posited there are five phases of group development – forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. In the final stage, there is recognition for participation and achievement and the group starts activities towards its termination. We discussed our successes, lessons learned and how we will reintegrate into our personal and professional lives when returning home in a few days.

Tomorrow we will start cleaning the station and break our simulation later in the day so we can enjoy our beautiful landscape sans our astronaut suits and gloves.

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