Day: February 9, 2025

Today was filled with putting our scouting, navigation and tracking equipment, and experimental procedures that we generated over the course of the week to work. We conducted a total of three EVAs using both maps and a handheld Garmin tracker device, which functioned as both an ammonia and rare mineral detector within the sim. These three EVAs dictated constant crew personnel resources, and we had Mission Support be a pilot participant in our navigation tasks for added assistance and task naivety. Following a long day piloting our tasks at Cowboy Corner, Pooh’s Corner, and Kissing Camel, we began scripting our data analysis in python during dinner, which consisted of frozen pizzas.Following dinner, we prepared our equipment, personal items, and the habitat for an early morning departure.

Today we spent a lot of time covering various logistics: what’s a day in the life of an MDRS sim, what will our experiment operations look like as researchers and participants, and things like where will we stay. We also tested some new sensors in the transitions between indoors and outdoors. We found what we expected for our eye tracking glasses – facing the sun is a bad idea. Our second crew arrived today so we helped them unpack and get them trained. They’ll be our participants for our experiment tomorrow. As part of their initiation, we had them cook dinner using a recipe from the MDRS cookbook and pantry ingredients. They chose wisely and made a great chicken fried rice. Following that we had brownies, discussed our Hogwarts houses, and did some more planning.

Scouting (Day 1)

We spent the day scouting out the EVA sites we’d like to use for our experiments. We decided on 8 sites north and south of the habitat. The weather was warmer than expected (a brisk 20ish degrees F) but the wind while driving was pretty rough. We tested some technology today as well. For example, we need really precise GPS tracker and found great success using a Garmin dog tracking collar! We also put together a little remote control rover to try out tomorrow. Fingers crossed its all terrain as advertised! We had a great meal of tortellini, chicken sausage, broccoli and carrots and a great convo about board games with Mission Support to close out the night.

Best,

Aaron

Crew 310 Journalist Report 02-03-2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist
We woke up on Mars at around 3°C, with sunshine and a slight breeze. The feeling of being on this planet remains astonishing. Our day begins with thirty minutes of exercise to maintain our fitness in Mars’ low gravity, followed by an energy-packed breakfast. Today’s mission is special: part of the team will carry out our first extravehicular activity (EVA) as a crew.
The plan for this EVA was to begin preparing the artistic-scientific project led by Anna Bach. Accompanying her were Ariadna Farrés and Estel Blay. However, strong winds complicated the EVA, and despite their efforts, they couldn’t make as much progress as they had hoped. Still, they managed to complete the first part of the installation. Step by step.
Meanwhile, the rest of us stayed inside the station. I worked on creating a virtual tour of the MDRS, aiming to produce a 360° video documenting all of its spaces. This material will later help explain how we make our mission sustainable.
Geologist Marina Martínez worked in the Science Dome, setting up an X-ray fluorescence gun, an essential tool that allows her to analyze the composition of soil and rock samples before collecting them during our EVAs.
Helena Arias, on the other hand, used her 3D printer to produce components for the solar panels she is working on with Estel. She also had to paint them with glow-in-the-dark paint. Though the task proved challenging, her characteristic perseverance ensured its successful completion. Meanwhile, Mónica Roca checked the right functioning of an antenna, essential for the reflector she is working on.
At midday, we gathered for a quick but delicious meal, prepared by Helena and Marina: a tasty vegan burger with dehydrated sweet potato fries, paired with a small cherry tomato from the Green Hab.
After lunch, Mónica, Helena, Marina, and I went out to document the surroundings. Marina began collecting her first samples, while Mónica installed a cable needed for her reflector at the back of the station. The experience was thrilling but also exhausting. The astronaut suit restricts mobility, and the Martian wind adds an extra layer of difficulty. Even so, we completed our mission and returned to the station safely and on time.
Back at the station, we took the opportunity to share our experiences and review the collected data. Fatigue was evident, but the excitement of completing our first EVAs kept us motivated. Tomorrow will bring another day of challenges and discoveries to the Red Planet.

Jennifer García Carrizo
Crew Journalist