Category: Journalist Report

Crew 281 Journalist Report 19 May 2023

Journalist Report

By: Rachel Jones

Sol 5 and Still Alive!

The morning was mayhem and included a last-minute change in EVA plans to move my antenna set-up to Sol 6. Instead, Ritu and Ana had their hands full doing some exciting field tests using the robotic scoop and more drone aerial surveillance. Ana’s robotic scoop has been named “Pegasus” in honor of this mission (our crew is “Team Pegasus”), and there were some challenges with its initial deployment. During the deployment of the scoop, a pin broke off while connecting the battery. The lesson learned is that a human interface redesign is needed to allow easier field deployment by astronauts or those wearing gloves. Meanwhile, Ritu was able to capture some fantastic footage of the deployed scoop and also captured aerial images of the MDRS Campus while geo-referencing a control point for later EVAs. The last part of
the EVA involved an exterior inspection of the Hab and facilities. The EVA team investigated some of the sources of irregular banging heard during periods of high winds in the afternoon. No immediate threats were found, and the images provided should allow mission support to resolve the banging issue in the future.

Lunch today was stewed lentils and quinoa prepared by Ritu. It was served alongside a fresh salad of harvested lettuce, arugula, and microgreens from the GreenHab. Following lunch, the crew came together to perform afternoon chores and do routine maintenance. I imagine this part of the SIM greatly reflects reality, as there are always things to do. Unfortunately, most do not want to hear the trials and tribulations of checking the toilets and water systems.

After getting the day’s requirements taken care of, most of us went on to our individual projects. Ana helped Megan transplant the chocolate seeds into soil in the Science Dome. Ana, of course, started writing a few papers. Megan focused on future reports for MDRS. KC and I did a trial setup for the MDRS High Frequency (HF) antenna that we hope to deploy on tomorrow’s EVA. MDRS has a remarkably versatile amateur radio setup that was designed by Hope L. (ND2L) from the Spaceward Bound Utah’s first all high school which was out at MDRS before the 2022-2023 season began! KC also checked in on all the GreenHab plants and kept an eye on the power status in the mid-day heat. Ritu downloaded her drone footage and started on daily reports.

For dinner tonight, we have leftover lentils and fresh rice. I received some advice on troubleshooting the sound issues I’ve been having with my Software Defined Radio (SDR) set up and will spend the evening attempting various configurations. I’m looking forward to deploying my equipment tomorrow and hopefully getting on the air. For now, signing off from Mars.

Crew 281 Journalist Report 18 May 2023

Journalist Report

Crew 281

By: Rachel Jones

Sol 4 was a science day. The team had been pushing hard on EVAs for
the past three days; thus, a break day was needed. The crew slept in
late (i.e., past 0700). Then KC prepared a chocolate chip pancake
brunch from dehydrated scratch. I spent the morning building a
Raspberry Pi system to utilize an RTL-Software Defined Radio (SDR). My
efforts were frustrating as typical troubleshooting methods (i.e.,
looking it up online) were unavailable. This frustration sparked crew
discussion of a future Mars mission’s possible network architecture
and the need for a Mars intranet.

The afternoon brought each individual to pursue their individual
projects. KC, our all-in-one Crew Engineer, performed Hab maintenance
and monitored systems. He also investigated options for optimizing
GreenHab conditions. During the day, that module can get to over 105
*F, which, for some reason, the current varieties of “MDRS” plants
don’t prefer.

Megan checked on her chocolate plants that are currently sprouting in
the Grow Tent in the Science Dome. I got to help her water the
seedlings as I spent my afternoon researching and troubleshooting
SDRs. Thinking of all the parts I wish I had, I realize the ability to
print tools and spare electronic parts on Mars will be necessary, but
for now, I have a few obstacles to overcome.

Ritu and Ana planned the rest of the crew EVAs. Ritu researched drone
flying techniques to capture scan lines. For our mission, a scan line
is the recorded measurements of the geological and geomechanical
characteristics over a specific distance (i.e., the yellow taped line
in yesterday’s photos). Ana also made educational outreach videos for
the Space for All Nations initiative.

Dinner tonight was penne noodles with fresh tomato sauce. Again, this
sauce utilized a mix of vegetables and herbs harvested from the
GreenHab and supplemented with dehydrated vegetables and spices. After
dinner, activities featured writing reports and working on our
Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) characters.

After a day of rest, Crew 281 is ready to go 100% in Sol 5.

Crew 281 – Journalist Report, 17 May 2023

Report by: Rachel Jones

Sol 3, Today was our first "longer" EVA mission. The whole team worked to prepare KC and Ana. They were going to Pooh’s Corner and Marble Ritual to perform scan lines while testing new geotechnical equipment. Once the EVA team returned everyone helped them doff their gear.

For lunch Megan made fresh bread. We ate bread dipped/spread/stuffed with a sauteed vegetable medley containing tomatoes harvested from the Green Hab combined with freeze dried vegetables and rice vinegar. It was astonishingly delicious. We’ve voted that the rice vinegar KC brought was a welcome edition to the MDRS kitchen.

The afternoon sent us all to our various projects. Megan checked on her chocolate seeds. Ana analyzed her collected data. Ritu started on our reports and planned for the next EVA. KC handled various Hab maintenance. We had strong winds in the afternoon and KC fortified the tunnel system. I (not having cooked) challenged myself to use less water doing dishes. MDRS recommends a sink of soapy water and a sink of rinse water. Then I did general Hab cleaning on the upper floor, before taking an inventory of MDRS’s amateur radio station. Truly, it’s science, maintenance, and cleaning everyday.

Pre-dinner we did a group yoga session. Dinner tonight is leftovers. I’m hoping to eat some of Sol 2’s quesadillas.

Crew 281 Sol 2 Journalist Report 16 May 2023

Setting the Scene for Science!

By: Rachel Jones

Sol 2: 16 May 2023

Sol 2 on Mars. Today started with a multiple mission EVA. Ritupriya, Ana, and myself conducted a close range EVA around the areas immediately surrounding the habitat. Ritu conducted drone surveillance of the area. Ana looked for a suitable area to deploy her geotechnical robotic device in a later mission. My goal was to look at the area where the amateur radio antenna was previously deployed. Then a final team goal was to pick up debris surrounding the Hab. We collected 38 grams of debris! Overall it was a mission success.

Ritu was in charge of meals and hab support for Sol 2. Afternoon consisted of a wonderful Ramen lunch, followed by multiple report writing. I had cleaning duty and tried to ensure our EVA ready room remained as clean as possible. Utah dirt is not unlike Georgia clay. (Growing up on Flat Creek Ranch has prepared me well.) Megan is growing chocolate in the grow tent. Her research goal focuses on lurxary crops for space food production. (People will definitely want chocolate and Coffee on Mars.) Ana gathered all her materials for a long EVA tomorrow. KC designed and built an experimental air flow diverter for the Green Hab. Previously, Megan had rigged an experimental Terra Cotta watering system in the Green Hab. It’s taking a lot of effort from Megan and KC to keep the plants alive in the extreme Utah desert heat.

The night ended with a chickpea curry and rice dinner. (So good) Lots of discussion on future research and collaborations happened over dinner. We also thought of our team morale Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) campaign which should start soon. Finally, the evening centered on report writing. There are over 6-8 daily reports that have to be submitted, revised, then re-submitted.

Another successful day on Mars!

Crew 261 Journalist Report 12-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

Earth and Mars pirouette around the sun in a cosmic dance covering mind-boggling distances. Two cosmic dancers, they swing close and then recede. The distance between Earth and Mars varies depending on their positions in their respective orbits around the Sun. At its closest approach, Mars is about 54.6 million kilometers (33.9 million miles) from Earth. At its farthest, the distance can be over 400 million kilometers (249 million miles).

Yet, distance isn’t merely a spatial concept. If we think of time as a flowing river, then each moment is an island in that river, each separated from the others by the relentless current of time. Consider standing at MDRS, your feet grounded in the same soil, separated not by miles but by millennia. Some 145 million years ago to 150 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed this landscape, the remnants of their existence still being unearthed by paleontologists working at the nearby Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry. The same latitude and longitude, yet a chasm of a million years stretches between them. The temporal distance between these moments is profound and poignant, a vivid demonstration of how time itself is a kind of distance, no less real than the vast expanse between Earth and Mars.

Finally, there is another kind of distance, one not easily measured — the emotional distance between human beings. Not the unfathomable gulf between celestial bodies, nor the temporal chasm between epochs, but the distances that ebb and flow between souls.

On Sol 12, the crew’s final Sol on Mars, Commander Burk and Executive Officer Aline Decadi executed a rescue drill (carried out on EVA 19), unbeknownst to the rest of the crew. Once they sent the “assistance needed” signal over the garmin device, the crew at the hab went to work to close the distance, not knowing the nature of the call as comms had been lost. It ended up being a physical distance of 2 kilometers between the hab and the EVA crew, a gap that was closed in 22 minutes. The emotional distance during those 22 minutes can only be described as charged. After two weeks, we have all become good friends, and the concern while in the blind was real and raw.

Distance, in the end, is a paradox. It isn’t static. It separates and unites, isolates, and connects. Today marks Sol 12 for Transatlantic Mars Crew 261, the final day of our simulation. At 1800, we will exit our Mars habitat, shedding our spacesuits to reconnect with Earth’s environment. The distance is inconsequential, this traverse from Mars back to Earth occurring in an instant, with words spoken by Commander James Burk. We will leave here with memories and our shared story of time on Mars.

Anthony de Mello famously said that “the shortest distance between a truth and a human being is a story.” Stories serve as bridges, closing the gap between hearts and minds, weaving threads of understanding where misunderstanding once prevailed. Every sim carried out at MDRS can be thought of as a story, with the goal of bridging distances in understanding of what human-to-mars is all about. Throughout our Mars mission, we have fostered friendships destined to endure and contributed to the vast body of knowledge propelling humanity towards a future on Mars. Tomorrow, on an Earth day, we will begin our homeward journeys. The physical distances between us will become tangible once more, but the shared memories of our time on Mars will ensure that reconnection is only a thought away. Our collective story about our time on Mars will continue to bind us, regardless of the miles that separate us.

With immense gratitude, we are Transatlantic Mars Crew 261, signing out:
James Burk (Crew Commander)
Aline Decadi (Executive Officer + Crew Geologist)
Cécile Renaud (Greenhab Officer + Crew Biologist)
Julien Villa-Massone (Crew Engineer)
Erin Kennedy (Crew Robotics Engineer)
Audrey Derobertmasure (Health + Safety Officer)
Kris Davidson (Crew Journalist)

Crew 261 Journalist Report 11-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

The awe-inspiring images of astronauts soaring through the cosmos will forever capture our imaginations. They are the main characters, the faces we associate with the ongoing saga of space exploration. While we extol these pioneers in the limelight, it is equally important to acknowledge the ones laboring tirelessly behind the scenes — the ones we know as Mission Support.

The successful and safe human exploration of Mars will necessitate a complex network of mission support. This endeavor will encompass extensive pre-mission training, development, and maintenance of comprehensive life support systems, including breathable air, clean water, food, health monitoring, and medical care. The formulation and rehearsal of contingency plans for emergencies will be essential. Robust communication systems need to be established. Lastly, the scientific objectives of each mission will necessitate ongoing, adaptable support capable of accommodating discoveries as they arise.

On Sol 10, during EVA 16, Sergii Iakymov’s voice echoed through the lower hab, warning Commander James Burk of a sudden weather shift and advising an immediate EVA termination. This instance is but one among many where our crew has benefited from the guidance of Mission Support. As crucial on Mars as it is at the MDRS, Mission Support is instrumental to the success of every mission. With crews cycling through, Mission Support remains the constant, the steady sentinels of this place. Their intimate knowledge of the MDRS structures and surrounding landscapes is invaluable. They establish and maintain crucial relationships in Hanksville and beyond, coordinate supplies between missions, and impart vital knowledge and insight to each incoming crew while ensuring the integrity of each simulation. On this penultimate Sol on Mars, the Transatlantic Mars 261 crew extends our heartfelt gratitude to Mission Support — Dr. Shannon Rupert and Sergii Iakymov. We could not have achieved this without you.

As Sol 11 dawned, the Transatlantic Mars Crew 261 is commencing the final stages of their experiments and projects, embarking on their final EVAs. EVA 18 set out for the Sea of Shells region to conduct the final tests on the Atmosphinder robot and to observe the geological features of the region. The participants, including Crew Engineer Julien Villa-Massone (EVA Leader), GreenHab Officer Cecile Renaud, Crew Roboticist Erin Kennedy, and Journalist Kris Davidson expressed a deep sense of gratitude for their mission experience. Back at the hab, Commander Burk and Executive Officer Aline Decadi worked on the final mission report, a critical communication with Mission Support and the larger Mars Society community at the end of a mission.

Space exploration is not solely a tale of astronauts and their heroic exploits. It is equally a story of the people comprising Mission Support who ensure the success and safety of each voyage. Their commitment and tireless efforts enable the astronauts to carry out their missions effectively, while simultaneously ensuring the integrity and continuity of each mission. Without them, the mesmerizing images of astronauts floating in space would remain a distant dream.

Crew 261 Journalist Report 10-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

The phrase "Ex Astra" means "from the stars," while "Ad Astra" means "to the stars." Together, they represent the concept that all life on Earth comprises the same elements that were created in the cores of stars billions of years ago, implying that we are all connected to the immense expanse of the universe.

This concept has garnered new significance in recent years as our comprehension of the cosmos has deepened. With each passing day, we draw closer to voyaging to Mars and beyond. Scientists now understand that the building blocks of life, such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, were birthed within stars that ultimately exploded as supernovae, dispersing these elements throughout the galaxy. "Ad Astra" is not merely a scientific notion. It also carries profound philosophical and spiritual implications. The idea of unity, our fundamental connection to the universe, can evoke a sense of awe and wonder.

On Sol 10, Transatlantic Mars Crew 261 welcomed a TV journalist from Salt Lake City. During EVA 16, the reporter spent time interviewing the crew and observing Crew Engineer Julien Villa-Massone as he tested the Adapa drone. The journalist also filmed Crew Roboticist Erin Kennedy’s ongoing testing of Atmosphinder.

Kennedy has been diligently progressing toward a test with the Atmosphinder robot involving human-to-robot interaction. Observing Erin’s communication with the robot she created, coupled with the journalist’s reportage, invokes a sense of awe at the multiple layers of sentience and observation at play. As we, the humans at MDRS, stand on Earth simultaneously creating and reporting from the idea of Mars, we are sentient stardust, working alongside the artificial intelligences we have created. We are not only alive and witnessing this universe but also actively interacting with it in complex and creative ways as we progress Ad Astra.

In a separate gesture of observation and celebration of the wonders of the universe, on Sol 10, Commander James Burk, Executive Officer Aline Decadi, Crew Engineer Julien Villa-Massone, and HSO Audrey Derobertmasure embarked on EVA 15 to explore Candor Chasma where they initiated drone flights to produce outreach footage. Back at the MDRS campus, Greenhab Officer/Crew Biologist Cécile Renaud spent the morning prepping tomato leaf samples for further analysis back on Earth.

Elements birthed from stars have coalesced to form planets, including our own, and eventually life as we comprehend it. This signifies that every atom within our bodies, in the tomato leaves that Renaud will analyze, was once part of a star. The concept of Ex Astra and Ad Astra has attained new significance as our understanding of the cosmos continues to deepen, as we strive to return to our cosmic origins. Stardust courses through our veins. We enter this world—into consciousness—through a convergence of storylines and stardusted bloodlines that have already spanned across all of time.

Crew 261 Journalist Report 09-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

Recently, Commander Burk aptly stated over dinner, "change is the only constant." This time-worn philosophical adage rings true across every facet of existence, from the ceaseless spin of the cosmos to the relentless progression of our own aging bodies. Nowhere does this resonate more than in the realm of science, where change is not just an observer, but the main event itself.

Mars, formed about 4.6 billion years ago, is a testament to the power of change. The planet transitioned from a warm, wet environment with a thick atmosphere and intense volcanic activity to a cold, dry world when it lost its magnetic field about 4 billion years ago. This led to atmospheric erosion by solar wind, and today, Mars’ surface is dotted with impact craters and adorned with polar ice caps composed of water and carbon dioxide. The evolution from an Earth-like planet to its current inhospitable state has scientists intrigued about the possibility of past life on Mars.

The region in Utah surrounding the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), also bears the imprints of change. Once submerged beneath prehistoric seas, it saw layers of sandstone, siltstone, and limestone being deposited. The formation and subsequent rifting of the supercontinent Pangea led to uplift and erosion, creating desert landscapes and dinosaur fossil-laden rock formations. Some of these fossils were discovered by MDRS Crew #1, which included Dr. Zubrin!

Transatlantic Mars Crew 261’s stay at the station is already transformative. The portraits taken on Sol 9 on EVA 13 reveal a newfound ease with the Martian environment, the spacesuits, and each other. We may leave Mars by the week’s end, but the experience leaves an indelible mark on us.

Changes and progress are evident in our experiments and projects as well. The crew roots for greenhab officer Cécile Renaud’s young tomato plant growing in Martian regolith stimulant. We’re learning and observing through crew roboticist Erin Kennedy’s ongoing Atmosphider tests, HSO Audrey Derobertmasure’s collecting of vascular aging data, and Julien Villa-Massone’s hab metrics project. James Burk and Aline Decadi continue the vital work of education through Mars VR and other outreach efforts.

The grand narrative of science affirms: change is the only constant. Nothing in our universe remains static. Science, in its quest for understanding, chronicles the dynamic rather than cataloging the static. It documents change, bears witness to the flux, and celebrates the ongoing transformation that underpins all existence.

Crew 261 Journalist Report 07-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

Since the beginning of recorded human history, we have long sought a way to make sense of the chaos of existence, to find the threads that bind us to the world and each other. Magic, religion, and science are three knowledge systems that we have turned towards across time to comprehend and control the great unknowns that have haunted us since the dawn of time.

Magic, religion, and science serve as mankind’s distinct approaches to understanding the universe and its mysteries. Magic, a primordial attempt to harness the elements, is rooted in folklore and myth, allowing us to channel our imperfect agency to shape the world to our desires. Religion, a collective endeavor, weaves stories and rituals to offer solace and structure while addressing questions that have plagued humanity since we first looked skyward. Science, born from our curiosity, is an ever-evolving quest for knowledge, methodically studying the universe and illuminating the dark crevices of ignorance through reason and empirical observation. Each of these knowledge systems represents our shared odyssey to decipher the cosmos and navigate the complexities of existence.

Science is commonly described as a march. We continue to gain more and more knowledge through science, and today it dominates in making sense of human existence and the cosmos. But even still, the wonder often associated with magic remains intact. On Sol 8, Transatlantic Mars Crew 261 has hit a good stride with the various experiments and projects, and as they progress so do feelings of wonder among the crew.

On EVA 12, led by Executive Officer Aline Decadi, with Erin Kennedy (Crew Robotics Engineer), Audrey Derobertmasure (HSO), and Kris Davidson (Journalist), the crew embarked on a quest to locate gypsum at the Glistening Seas region. This endeavor was related to the Atmosphinder experiment as the location has geological features similar to the Mars South Polar region. The crew was delighted not only by the spectacular landscape but the plentiful gypsum crystals sparkling in the area. During the EVA, Kennedy was also able to test the Atmosphinder on the kind of terrain it is being designed for.

Wonder frequently gives way to celebration. The entire crew celebrated with Greenhab Officer Cecile Renaud as the first tomato plant emerged after having been planted in Mars regolith stimulant (MMS-1 — Mojave Mars Stimulant, made by Martian Garden, developed by JPL for the 2007 Phoenix Lander mission). The small bud was first noticed late on Sol 7. On Sol 8, Renaud harvested a healthy batch of the spirulina growing in the photobioreactor, a promising result for the crew and future Mars colonists. Last but not least, EVA 11 on Sol 8, led by Commander Burk, was to test the Adapa 360 prototype, which could render high-resolution images of the MDRS for the Mars VR project — an endeavor that aspires to bring the magic and wonder of MDRS to others anywhere in the world.

As we continue to delve into the mysteries of the cosmos, the lines between magic, religion, and science may seem to blur, yet they remain distinct pathways to understanding. The triumphant march of science, the comforting embrace of religion, and the primal allure of magic, all serve as testament to our unending quest to make sense of existence. From the gleaming gypsum crystals of the Martian landscape to the first tomato plant sprouting in Mars regolith stimulant, the Transatlantic Mars Crew 261’s journey is a contribution to this larger quest. As we extend our reach to the stars, we carry with us the magic of wonder, the solace of belief, and the torch of scientific inquiry, ever illuminating the path ahead.

Crew 261 Journalist Report 07-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

In this fast-paced world, we often find ourselves part of a tribe ceaselessly seeking motion. We race against the invisible foe of time, relentlessly pursuing productivity, success, and ambition. However, deep within our bodies, our very marrow whispers a secret truth: to truly thrive, we must surrender to the transformative power of rest.

At the midpoint of their mission, the Sol 7 Transatlantic Mars Crew consciously chose to pause. With no EVAs on the agenda, the team dedicated this Sol to rest and reflection, allowing for an evaluation of the mission’s progress thus far and attending to personal chores, such as laundry, which had been neglected.

Sol 7 was also designated as the evaluation day for Medical Officer Audrey Derobertmasure’s PASKAL experiment, an endeavor designed to explore the viability of microsampling capillary blood and urine during a Mars analog mission. This biological sampling technique, based on dried matrices like dried blood spots (DBS) and dried urine spots (DUS), seeks to address some of the medical challenges astronauts face during extended space expeditions. By providing an easy and quick monitoring method, the experiment aims to address the increasing susceptibility to acute and chronic cardiovascular deconditioning experienced by astronauts as flight durations exceed six months.

The experiment required the crew to abstain from caffeine for 24 hours, a task best suited for a more tranquil day. Greenhab Officer Cécile Renaud harvested mint and thyme to be infused in a refreshing tea for this caffeine-free period. The crew sipped the tea as they collaborated to complete an array of reports.

The Transatlantic Mars Crew 261 has also built in a sharing time at 1700 on most sols, during which a crew member will informally present MDRS work or other related projects. Despite being scheduled, these presentations offer an expansive openness, fostering deeper understanding and connections among crew members. Commander Burk recently shared the Mars VR project with the crew. On Sol 7, Crew Journalist Kris Davidson presented her personal artwork, which explores storytelling across time.

The crew’s deliberate pause for rest and reflection serves as a reminder of the importance of balance in our lives. By making space for introspection and personal growth alongside their work, the crew demonstrates the value of nurturing both mind and body in the pursuit of success. This lesson transcends the Martian habitat, resonating with all those striving to thrive in our fast-paced world. In embracing periods of rest, we can more fully engage with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.