Day: February 9, 2025

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Journalist Report – February 5th

Crew 310 Journalist Report 05Feb2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist

The crew begins a new day on Mars, but today is extra special! For the next 24 hours, they will enjoy a meal designed by the winners of the International Space Challenge organized by Space Faculty of Singapore—a group of four incredible kids, aged 8 to 9! These young innovators, known as Team SpaceTatouille, created a complete menu—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks—tailored to meet astronauts’ calorie and nutritional needs. Commander Ariadna Farrés prepared the recipes in the U.S. and sent them to the MDRS, where today, the crew finally got to enjoy them!
But food wasn’t the only highlight of the day! In the morning, the two engineers -Helena Arias and Mònica Roca I Aparici- and the commander -Ariadna Farrés- headed out to assemble the central part of the reflector—three massive aluminum pieces that took almost four hours to securely install on the legs they had set up the day before.
Meanwhile, journalist Jenifer García Carrizo created sustainable content about the composter we are using in the MDRS, while geologist Marina Martínez and scientist Estel Blay prepared instruments for the afternoon’s geological excursion.
In the afternoon, the geologist -Marina Martínez-, scientist -Estel Blay-, and artist-in-residence -Anna Bach- embarked on an extravehicular activity to collect samples from Valles Marineris for in-house analysis. Anna captured images to recreate the breathtaking Martian landscape faithfully and even started sketching some initial drawings. Meanwhile, Estel Blay accessed the first data from the newly installed solar panels, took images of the structural experiment’s solar panel, and continued analyzing the heat distribution in the new designs.
Stay tuned—tomorrow promises another exciting day!

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Operations Report – February 4th

Crew 310 Operations Report 04-02-2025

SOL: 2

Name of person filing report: Helena Arias

Non-nominal systems:

Robotic Observatory

Notes on non-nominal systems: The hypothesis about the thermal issues in the loft upper deck is that there is a cold air gust when the heater turns off. Thermostat temperature in SOL 1 was set to 70ºF. Thermostat temperature today was set to 75ºF and it felt hotter in the loft but uncomfortable in the dorms. Heater will be set to 74ºF tonight.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: yes

Hours: 263.5

Beginning charge: 100 %

Ending charge: 77 %

Currently charging: no

Opportunity rover used: yes

Hours: 202.6

Beginning charge: 100 %

Ending charge: 70 %

Currently charging: yes

Curiosity rover used: no

Hours: –

Beginning charge: –

Ending charge: –

Currently charging: yes

Perseverance rover used: no

Hours: –

Beginning charge: –

Ending charge: –

Currently charging: yes

General notes on rovers: last check made on SOL 2 (18:38 PM).

Summary of Hab operations: Sport, meals, EVA and 3d printing activities have been made as usual.

Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)

Time of measurements (collect data for the same time window): 7:00 pm
1) Per formula (see notes): 22.22 gal.
2) Smart Home Dashboard (see notes): 21.34 gal.

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 449.361 gal.

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On

Static tank heater (on or off): On

Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): No

Summary of internet: used from 19:00 to 21:00 for personal communication and reports.

Summary of suits and radios:

Suits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Radios: nominal

All radio and spacesuit batteries checked before EVA: Yes. All nominal.

NOTES: LilyGo unit found in the first EVA of the day.

Summary of GreenHab operations: plants were watered twice (morning and evening) and some plants were harvested.

WATER USE: 6 gallons

Heater (On or Off): On

Supplemental light (hours of operation): 3

Harvest (name, weight in grams):

14 g basil

45 g rucola

10 g cherry tomatoes

63 g radish

Summary of Science Dome operations: Marina Martínez, Estel Blay and Ariadna Farres have been working on their experiments.

Dual split: Off

Summary of RAM operations: Monica Roca and Helena Arias have been working on the reflector. RAM was also used as an airlock for the second EVA of the day. A crew member hit her back in the RAM. Cold was applied. She feels well but is still under observation.

Summary of any observatory issues:

Robotic observatory: Not working. Maintenance planned for June.

Summary of health and safety issues: A crew member hit her back in the RAM. Cold was applied. She feels well but is still under observation.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: none

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Sol Summary – February 4th

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 04-02-2025

Sol: 2

Summary Title: Hypatia II on a rescue mission

Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: The crew woke up early and performed their daily 30-minute exercise routines in the bottom deck and had breakfast all together between 8:00 am to 8:45 am.

The first EVA was led by Ariadna Farres (Commander), and supported by Marina Martinez (Greenhab officer), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer), Jennifer Garcia Carrizo (Journalist) and started at 9:20am. The first objective was to retrieve the LilyGo that was lost yesterday during an EVA. The crew drove to Compass Rock, scanned the area where it was lost and found it. Success! They then drove back to the base, Marina Martinez went back into the main hab to continue setting the geology and chemistry lab. Estel Blay and Ariadna Farres installed the solar panel experiment and Jennifer Garcia Carrizo started scanning the exterior of the base with a 360 camera, as part of her Hypatia’s Circular Odyssey project. It was very windy and hard to stabilize the camera tripod, during a wind gust one camera lens was damaged.

The team that stayed inside the main hab worked on their respective research projects. Anna Bach (Executive Officer and resident artist) worked on her children’s book. Meantime, Helena Arians (Engineer), Monica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist) mounted part of the reflector structure in the RAM, so that it was ready for the afternoon EVA.

After a morning of hard work, the crew enjoyed a delicious rice and veggies lunch.

The second EVA was led by Monica Roca i Aparici, and supported by Anna Bach, Helena Arias and Marta Ferrer (Filmmaker) started. The goal of this EVA was to install the structure of the corner reflector on the concrete patch that is 20 meters NW of the base. The preparation for this EVA was special since the crew left the base through the RAM. Marta Ferrer documented the whole process while Monica Roca i Aparici, Helena Arias and Anna Bach worked on the installation.

The team that stayed inside the main hab worked on their respective research projects. Estel Blay finished the setting for her outreach space tomato seed project. Marina Martinez finished setting up the geology and chemistry lab. Jennifer Garcia worked on her Hypatia’s Circular Odyssey. Ariadna Farres tried to observe the Sun from the Musk Observatory, but it was very windy and had to abort the mission to avoid damaging the dome.

Around 6:30pm the crew started planning tomorrow EVAs and working on their daily reports.

Look Ahead Plan: Crew 310 will continue with their own experiments. Tomorrow the crew plans to finish installing the plates of the corner reflector, and the crew geologist will be performing her first official field trip.

Anomalies in work: The base experienced several power cuts when the solar panels were on. Some of the power cuts started when the hair drier or microwave was turned on.

Weather: Cloudy morning and sunny afternoon. Very windy all day (wind speed around 11mph), Temperature 43F/70F

Crew Physical Status: A crew member hit her back while working in the RAM, she has a bruise and scratch on her back.

EVA: Crew 310 conducted two EVAs. During the morning EVA, they first went on a rescue mission to retrieve the LilyGo. Once it was retrieved, the EVA team installed a solar panel experiment near the base solar panels and started mapping the exterior of the base with a 360 camera. During the afternoon EVA the crew started mounting the reflector, they managed to install the corner reflector structure.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, HSO Report, EVA request #5 #6, EVA Report #3 #4, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: None

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Sol Summary -February 7th

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 07-02-2025

Sol: 5

Summary Title: The heavy wind encouraged bonding among the crew

Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Today’s forecast was strong winds, so the team decided to just do a morning EVA and stay inside the base in the afternoon, and we were not wrong, in the afternoon we had wind gusts of over 40mph.

Mònica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist), Marina Martinez (Greenhab officer), Jennifer Garcia Carrizo (Journalist) and Marta Ferrer (Filmmaker) went on the morning EVA, that started with some work around the corner reflector and then they walked towards Marble Ritual to collect geological samples.

The crew members that stayed inside during the morning, Ariadna Farres (Commander), Anna Bach (Executive Officer and resident artist), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer) and Helena Arians (Engineer), did their daily exercise routine to keep the crew fit. This is also part of one of the Human Factors projects led by Helena Arias.

In the afternoon the crew stayed inside the base, apart from working on their respective projects they took some time to talk about life and have some bonding time. They also took some time to film some outreach videos for the girl and women on science day.

The crew is excited to see what Helena and Jennifer have prepared as a night activity after dinner.

Anomalies in work: we have observed that Opportunities rear wheel is low on air pressure.

Weather: Windy and Sunny, Temperature 38 F / 66 F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: Crew 310 conducted one EVAs in the morning, where the crew walked to Marble Ritual and collected geological samples.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request #10 #11, EVA Report #9, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: We ask guidance for Opportunities wheel situation

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GreenHab Report – February 7th

Crew 310 GreenHab Report 07-02-2025

GreenHab Officer: Dr. Marina Martínez

Environmental control (fan & heater): Heater 24h

Average temperatures (last 24h): 82.6 ºF

Maximum temperature (last 24h): 95 ºF

Minimum temperature (last 24h): 70.3 ºF

Hours of supplemental light: 2 hours

Daily water usage for crops: 10 gallons total

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 200 ml

Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 152 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 12:45 pm, 7:30 pm

Changes to crops: The cucumbers are suddenly grown and looking great.

Narrative: General watering of plants and crops was done today. It is likely that the night had an anomaly in the permitted temperature range and therefore, this morning I found the hot air on. In the afternoon, I found both the heater and the fan (cold air) on, and I notified Mission Control, who turned the fan off. The door remained closed all day and the supplementary light from 5pm to 7:30pm. The plants have been watered twice, once at noon approximately, and once in the evening.

Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams):

· 19 g coriander

Support/supplies needed: none

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Sol Summary – February 6th

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 06-02-2025

Sol: 4

Summary Title: Art is everywhere on Mars!

Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

The crew day started early as the toilet tank overflow alarm started beeping at 4:30 am, when one of the crew members was using the toilet. After emptying the tank we went back to bed to get a couple of hours of sleep before starting the work day.

Today half of the crew dedicated their efforts on putting together a large-scale art project that the Hypatia team has been working on. We are hoping to get it captured by a satellite in the next few days. Two EVAs were dedicated for the project. In the morning Ariadna Farres (Commander), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer), Helena Arias (Engineer) and Monica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist), scouted the area before crossing Kissing Camel Ridge and started working on the main structure. In the afternoon Ariadna Farres (Commander), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer), Helena Arias (Engineer) and Anna Bach (Resident Artist) worked on the main structure. Unfortunately the crew could not deploy the full artwork because it was very windy, and will try to do the full deployment on Saturday.

The crew members that stayed in the main Hab had a relaxing day. Jennifer Garcia (Journalist) kept recording the interior of the MDRS base with her 360 camera. Marian Martinez spent the day in the science dome, analysing the samples she collected in Vallis Marineris, using the Spectroscout instrument, a portable Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, provided by SPECTRO. Anna Bach spent the morning working on the children’s book, drawing scenes from the Hypatia crew adventures on Mars. Monica Roca i Aparici spent most of her afternoon working in the RAM and checking on the EVA team.

Look Ahead Plan: The crew will continue working on their respective research projects, and have their first team building night activity.

Anomalies in work: The toilet level alarm went off around 4:30 am

Weather: Sunny and windy, Temperature 49 F / 66 F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: Crew 310 conducted two EVAs that were both dedicated to work on the large-scale art project designed by our artist in residence.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request #9, EVA Report #7 #8, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: Options to try and fix the toilet tank level indicator.

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EVA Report – February 6th

Crew 310 EVA Report 06-02-2025

EVA #: 7

Author: Helena Arias Casals

Purpose of EVA: Installation of guy wires in the Corner Reflector (wind is expected on Friday so this should be done for safety). Scouting the Kissing Camel area for the large-scale art piece.

Start time: 8:50 am

End time: 11.45 am

Narrative: The crew depressurized through the main entrance to the Hab. They first added two guy wires to the Corner Reflector and tried to attach the third one without success due to a size issue. The crew utilized two rovers to travel to the Kissing Camel Ridge area, which was scouted during the EVA. After tedious analysis of the situation, they failed to install a test line of fabric for the large-scale art piece due to the wind gusts. Then, further observations and measures were taken to understand and simplify the large-scale art piece, continuing this work during EVA #8.

Destination: Destination: 20 meters NW the HAB. Then the north area of the Kissing Camel Ridge W.

Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 5185000 E, 4252000 N, and 518000 E, 4249550 N

EVA Participants: Mònica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist) (EVA Leader), Helena Arias (Engineer), Ariadna Farrer (Commander), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer).

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Walk up the little hill behind the HAB (20 meters NW). After the wires installation, drive on Cow Dung Road 0110.

Mode of travel: walking to the first destination, then driving.

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Operations Report – February 6th

Crew 310 Operations Report 06-02-2025

SOL: 4

Name of person filing report: Helena Arias

Non-nominal systems:

Robotic Observatory

Hab secondary structure

Toilet tank level indicator

Notes on non-nominal systems: Maintenance of the observatory planned for June. There are air leaks in the upper deck of the Hab. The scratches were covered with duct tape and bubble wrap The solution improves the situation. The toilet tank was full (although the indicator shows 2/3). The alarm started ringing at 4.30 am. The tank was emptied following the protocol, but the indicator did not update accordingly, and the alarm would not switch off, so we disconnected the battery. Visual inspection will be performed from now on and until the indicator is fixed. We propose rebooting the indicator either by disconnecting and reconnecting the power source or pressing the pump switch.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: yes

Hours: 264,0

Beginning charge: 100 %

Ending charge: 84 %

Currently charging: yes

Opportunity rover used: no

Hours: –

Beginning charge: –

Ending charge: –

Currently charging: yes

Curiosity rover used: yes

Hours: 293,4

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 75 %

Currently charging: yes

Perseverance rover used: yes

Hours: 302,9

Beginning charge: 100 %

Ending charge: 88 %

Currently charging: yes

General notes on rovers: last check made on SOL 4 (19:30 PM).

Summary of Hab operations: Sport, meals, EVA preparation and 3d printing activities have been made as usual. The toilet tank was full (although the indicator shows 2/3). The alarm started ringing at 4.30 am and was deactivated by disconnecting the battery.

Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)

Time of measurements (collect data for the same time window): 7:00 pm
1) Per formula (see notes): 22,21 gal.
2) Smart Home Dashboard (see notes): 26.57 gal.

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 394,467 gal.

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On

Static tank heater (on or off): On

Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): Yes

Summary of internet: used from 7:00 am to 8:00 am and from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for personal communication and reports.

Summary of suits and radios: LilyGo antenna has been reset during EVA #7 due to anomalies on the refresh rate. After the reset, the system worked as nominal.

Suits: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9

Radios: nominal

All radio and spacesuit batteries checked before EVA: Yes. All nominal.

Summary of GreenHab operations: plants were watered twice (morning and evening) and some plants were harvested.

WATER USE: 9 gallons

Heater (On or Off): On

Supplemental light (hours of operation): 2

Harvest (name, weight in grams):

42 g Arugula Astro (rucola)

25 g basil

7 g parsley

15 g mint

25 g scallion

23 g carrot (1 unit)

117 g cucumber (1 unit)

35 g cherry tomato

20 g radish (2 units)

Summary of Science Dome operations: Marina Martínez, Jennifer García and Anna Bach have been working on their projects.

Dual split: Off

Summary of RAM operations: Monica Roca has been working on the reflector parts. RAM was also used as an airlock for the second EVA of the day.

Summary of any observatory issues:

Robotic observatory: Not working. Maintenance planned for June.

Summary of health and safety issues: none

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: The toilet tank indicator should be fixed. The engineer will follow any instructions received from Mission Support.

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