Month: April 2024

Sol 8
Summary Title: Our sun got eaten by the moon
Author’s name: Alba Sánchez Montalvo
Mission Status: In progress
Sol Activity Summary:
The sol started very early since it was scheduled to be a busy one. Two EVAs were planned for in the morning to continue with Romain’s experiment to do different maneuvers with the drone, followed by the TapStrap test to assess whether this device facilitates communication between crew members. Maxime has become addicted to making bread (and the rest of the crew to devour it). Around 12h, the crew went to the observatory to observe a beautiful solar eclipse which was taking place this sol, which makes it unique for us! After lunch, it was time to record some more videos for our social media and collaborators. There was time for half of the crew and we talked about the goal, methodology and importance of our experiments. We also made some videos to thank all our sponsors for their support on this mission, it would not have been possible without them! Then, some crew members practiced some sports while others were preparing dinner: it’s pizza night! Time flies, we are now more than halfway through the experience. We don’t want to leave Mars, we have made it our new home!
Look Ahead Plan: there are two EVAs planned for tomorrow, one for Louis’ experiment and one for Maxime’s one to check on his weather station and to explore new areas. Also, we will finish recording our videos about our experiments tomorrow.
Anomalies in work: NA
Weather: Mostly clear skies, no wind
Crew Physical Status: Some crew members are little bit tired, but all good in general
EVA:
EVA#10 : We got out at exactly 8 o’clock and directly went to Marble ritual. We didn’t want to waste time since near noon, the eclipse would be at its highest. Once we arrived at the location, we all flew the drone as intended with no problems. We headed back home and finished one of the shortest EVA’s. A quick but really efficient EVA.
EVA#11 : We got out near 9 o’clock and directly went to Marble ritual. Once we arrived at the location, Hippolyte, Alba and Loriane flew the drone without any problems occurring. We came back to encode the data, enjoy a snack before the eclipse.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics), EVA Report, EVA Request, Astronomy Report
Support Requested: NA

Sol: 7
Summary Title: Rrrrrap on Mars
Author’s name: Alba Sánchez Montalvo
Mission Status: Overcoming inconveniences
Sol Activity Summary:
The sol started with an EVA by the biomedical team (Alba, Arnaud, Imane and Loriane) where the main goal was to explore and to make a reconnaissance of the Candor Chasma area for future EVAs. We took beautiful pictures and we had a little accident in which Arnaud got attacked by a space cactus. Our crew health and safety officer took good care of him and it was solved and disinfected successfully. Despite the inconvenience, everyone had a great time. Meanwhile, Louis spent some time in the RAM preparing some beacons for his experiment with his drone. Maxime took incredible pictures of the sun and made a beautiful composit image of it. We are all very excited because there will be an eclipse tomorrow and Maxime will take care of everyone being able to see it and understand what is going on. It was a sampling sol for the biomedical team so, as previously done, blood and saliva collection, inflammatory cell count in blood and sample processing were performed in the science dome. We thank again our collaborator @dentognostics for providing us with the incredible ORALyzer and @yourbio_health for the device used for blood collection. Also, we would like to thank the IREC, specially the LUNS department, for providing us with some of the material needed for the sample collection. On top of that, Centro Sur, and all the sponsors who joined us, for making this project possible. In the evening, we made some bread and enjoyed some time together. In the evening, we made some bread and enjoyed some time together. The rappers are back, the show must go on on Mars.
Look Ahead Plan: we plan to do an EVA tomorrow to continue with Romain’s experiment, we will observe the eclipse with the guidance of Maxime and will make some content for our social media and for our collaborations
Anomalies in work: NA
Weather: sunny and warm all day
Crew Physical Status: a little bit tired, but feeling great
EVA: In the morning, Alba, Imane, Loriane and Arnaud headed for the compass rock where they parked their rovers. They took some photos at this rock and then descended into the Candor Chasma to visit the area and take some photos and videos in order to carry out reconnaissance for future EVAs.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics), EVA Report, EVA Request(s) Astronomy Report.
Support Requested: NA