Sol Summary Report – Jan 8th

Crew 272 Sol Summary Report 08-01-2023

Sol: 7

SummaryTitle:Relaxing Sol at the Hab

Author’s name: Kshitij Mall

Mission Status: All nominal

SolActivitySummary:The crew decided to take a day off mid-mission very similar to what happens with the astronauts on the ISS. Since the EVA crew yesterday performed very well, I rewarded them with their first showers, which all have taken by today. I also rewarded them with extra sleep, which most of them desired, especially our Crew Geologist Adriana who has been on all EVAs but one. The crew slept last night by 11 pm so they were allowed to wake up at the latest by 9 am. Since I was the chef for the morning, I thought of sharing traditional Indian breakfast with the crew. This was the first time I made Poha (a popular flattened rice breakfast) on Mars and it served more as a brunch item for the team, satiating their hungry stomachs. To spice things up as my Poha recipe had no green chilli, I shared Indian Spice Tea (akin to the ones we find on tapri or street side tea stalls in India) with the crew. Indian biscuits were also offered, and it was the first time for most of threw to have this kind of a breakfast that too on Mars. While preparing tea, I encountered an issue: I accidentally left my tea strainer back on Earth and I knew no emergency interplanetary cargo ship was available today to deliver me this very important item. Thinking like a Maritan the breakfast crew comprising myself, XO Arly, and Crew Journalist Kenneth found a jugaad (Indian word for a makeshift solution) to address this problem. In the kitchen, we identified a very small strainer unit, which seems to be for some type of tea, but certainly not for the humungous amount I made. We poured the tea to be strained in one of the measuring beakers to gain a steady flow out of it and then strained tea carefully to 7 cups. Two of these cups were Martian Kulhads (traditional unpainted and unglazed handle-less clay cups being used for over 5000 years in India and now being made on Mars using Martian clay). The breakfast was followed by Mission Clean Kitchen, in which all crew members participated. After all this is our home on Mars and sanitation is of high importance. We plan on vacuuming the upper and lower decks today. We also completed our daily human factors tests and reports for Arly and Andres. Even though the crew gulped lot more water and did cleaning sessions, we consumed only about 23 gallons of water. The crew did get used to Martian world by mid-mission.

The Greenhab Officer watered the plants and monitored their growth. She also harvested some beans and chives for the crew to feast upon after the sumptuous breakfast. On the 3D printing front, Megan got the rock hammer ready, and another hammer would be ready by the end of the mission for use in one of our upcoming EVAs. Adriana turned Science Dome into a rock party place by hammering some rocks. Kenneth, Megan, Arly, and Madelyn joined the procession. Megan, Arly, and Madelyn returned while Mason and I went to continue the rock party.

The crew led by Kenneth then solved some crossword puzzles. Teamwork was at display once again as was it during the EVAs or any other activity our crew has been a part of. Adriana took half of the crew to the science dome to perform a water cleaning session of her new geo-baby she named Petrie. The dinner for tonight was Chili, which was prepared by Megan and Madelyn. The crew is planning on watching a Bollywood movie (most likely half of it as it is slightly longer, and Kenneth wants to practice the dance steps from this movie). The crew also decided to play a card game called Monikers. We plan to sleep early, and part of the crew will head out to the first Search and Rescue operation.

Look Ahead Plan: First search and rescue test at the end of Gateway to Candor

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Overcast, Winds Calm

Crew Physical Status: Good

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, Journalist Report, EVA Request, Greenhab Report.

Support Requested: None

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