Category: Journalist Report

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.

Crew 261 Journalist Report 06-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

Moving to a distant land begins a lifelong process of translation. Immigrants must translate everything, including language, food, clothes, and even stories rooted in their homeland, across a shifting chasm between cultures. Similarly, for the first colonists on Mars, making a home will be an arduous process spread across generations. Not only will they live in a place with no existing culture, but they will also live in an environment completely inhospitable to human life, with no breathable air or running water. Everything necessary for their survival would have to be brought from Earth, and any malfunction or mishap could mean the difference between life and death. Yet, despite their longing for fresh mountain air on Earth or a swim in the ocean, they will have a tenderness and affection for their adopted home on Mars.

As the first generation of colonists has children, the idea of home would take on even greater significance. For these children, Mars would be the only home they had ever known, a world vastly different from Earth, with its unique challenges and opportunities. In just a couple generations, the cultures between Earth and Mars will be distinct.

Sol 6 marks the midway point of the mission for Transatlantic Mars Crew 261, defined by a feeling of being of two places. On one hand, there was a strong pull from Earth. Before dawn, the crew journalist Kris Davidson projected videos of water and forest against the wall in the science dome, contrasting with the rising sun over the barren Martian landscape outside. Martian homes may be designed to feature calming elements that reference Earth. Later, Commander James Burk participated in an analogue astronaut conference via Zoom being held on Earth at Biosphere 2. The crew had a journalist visit to report back to Earth about the crew’s work on Mars. Finally, the entire crew came together to record a video for Executive Officer Aline Decadi’s mother, who was celebrating her birthday on Earth. Julien Villa-Massone (Crew Engineer) strummed a guitar, and the crew felt happy and connected as they sang.

Even as Earth is always in the heart, life on Mars has become easier for Transatlantic Mars Crew 261. Audrey Derobertmasure (Medical Officer) and Erin Kennedy (Crew Robotics Engineer) had a successful longer EVA 9 for further testing of the Atmosphinder. Later, Commander Burk and Cécile Renaud (Greenhab Officer) also had success on EVA 10, with the recovery of Icarus, the drone lost on Sol 5. The crew has become closer, as colleagues and as friends, making work both easier and safer.

The phrase "home is where the heart is" takes on a new meaning for Mars colonists. For these early pioneers, home is not so much a physical place, but rather a feeling of belonging and connection to their community and mission. Living on Mars requires a tremendous amount of resilience, determination, and cooperation. The colonists are living in a hostile environment, cut off from Earth by millions of miles of empty space. In such extreme conditions, the bonds between the colonists become even more important. They must rely on each other for emotional support, as well as for their survival. They share meals, work together to maintain their equipment and habitat, and find ways to create a sense of community and belonging in a place that is completely alien to human life. Ultimately, despite the challenges they face, the colonists on Mars have created a new home, one that will continue to evolve and shape their lives for generations to come.

Crew 261 Journalist Report 05-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

Stories have been an integral part of human culture since the beginning of time, and their life cycles often span centuries or even millennia. Over time, the facts of a story may become distorted or embellished as it is retold, leading to the creation of fictional narratives that have little basis in reality. And yet, these fictional narratives often carry an essential truth or message that resonates with people and endures across generations. Similarly, myths are often layered on top of true accounts to further some essential truth. Myths can be seen as a way of interpreting and understanding historical events or natural phenomena that are difficult to explain using rational or scientific means. By layering myths on top of these events, people can create a narrative that provides meaning and context, even if the details of the story are not entirely accurate.

This intersection of mythology and science can be seen in the naming of constellations and space shuttles after ancient myths. For example, the Apollo missions, which aimed to land humans on the moon, were named after the Greek god of music, poetry, prophecy, and the sun, Apollo. This name reflects the idea of reaching for the heavens, which has been a longstanding aspiration of human beings throughout history.

On Sol 5, Commander James Burk and Executive Officer Aline Decadi departed on EVA 7 in the morning, with a quest to fulfill several goals: mounting a drone test flight over an unexplored area to possibly be imaged for VR Mars in the future, continued testing of meshtastic devices, and capturing wind data for crew robotics officer, Erin Kennedy’ ongoing Atmosphinder work. During the course of the EVA, the drone was lost due to high winds and altitude. Upon return to the hab, Commander Burk named the wayward drone Icarus.

In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of Daedalus, a skilled craftsman who created a set of wings made of feathers and wax for himself and his son to escape from the island of Crete. Daedalus warned Icarus not to fly too close to the sun, as the wax would melt, nor too close to the sea, as the feathers would become waterlogged. However, as Icarus soared through the skies, he became entranced by the sensation of flight and ignored his father’s warning. He flew too close to the sun, causing the wax in his wings to melt, and he plummeted into the sea. Back at the hab, crew engineer Jullian Villa-Massone and Commander Burk were able to locate Icarus using the drone’s built-in software. Transatlantic Mars Crew 261 is considering an EVA to retrieve the drone. Icarus may fly again, but through his new appointed name, he carries the ancient warning held in the myth.

The theme of safety and precaution flavored the rest of Sol 5. In the afternoon, Executive Officer Aline Decadi led a spacesuit safety session in the hab, with crew members acting out various emergency scenarios. The crew felt rewarded for these efforts when greenhab officer, Cecile Renaud, harvested fresh tomatoes and cucumber for the evening dinner.

Stories and myths have been a crucial part of human culture for centuries, serving as a means of interpreting and understanding the world around us. They may become distorted or embellished over time, but they often carry insights and lessons that endure across generations. The naming of the lost drone Icarus by Commander Burk on Sol 5 carries the ancient warning held in the myth and serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and precaution in space exploration. The crew’s spacesuit safety session and successful harvest of fresh produce highlight the importance of these efforts in ensuring the wellbeing of the crew on their mission to Mars.

Crew 261 Journalist Report 04-05-2023

Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist

Deep time is a concept championed by geologists and astronomers, who interpret long-ago events recorded within our Earth’s geological features and far-away planets and stars. This concept allows us to understand the vast and nearly incomprehensible expanse of time that has unfolded since the formation of our universe, as well as the intricate processes that have sculpted the planets in our solar system. By exploring deep time, we gain a humbling appreciation for the enormity of cosmic history and an understanding of how complex, interconnected processes over eons have shaped the Earth and other planets, like Mars, that we aspire to visit soon.

In light of deep time, the brevity of a single human lifetime becomes profoundly apparent. Our fleeting existence, typically spanning less than a century, pales in comparison to the billions of years that have unfolded since the universe’s inception. On Sol 4, during EVA 5, crew members were collecting data for meshtastic devices, walking and admiring Martian geological features when they were suddenly reminded of the ephemeral nature of human life. A mechanical malfunction in a crew member’s spacesuit caused a sudden, brief illness, and in an instant, everything changed. Back at the hab the crew discussed checklists, procedures, and training for better responses in future emergency situations.

Despite the relative brevity of our lives, we still manage to make important contributions to the human race that will endure across a deeper time span. The cumulative nature of human progress, particularly in science and discovery, is a testament to the resilience and tenacity of our species. Each generation builds upon the knowledge and achievements of those who came before, as they seek to unravel the mysteries of the universe, always pushing against the shifting boundaries of our understanding. During EVA 6, crew roboticist Erin Kennedy’s work testing a robotic elements and wind sails of the Atmosphinder rover yielded notable progress. Her work contributes to a larger understanding of how a wind-powered rover intended to provide valuable information about Mars might be best engineered. Meanwhile, in the science dome, Cecile Renaud (greenhab officer and crew biologist) planted tomato seeds in a variety of soil samples to be stimulated later with spirulina, moving us closer to understanding how the first people on Mars might effectively grow food in the planet’s hostile environment.

The collaborative, generational effort in science across time has enabled humanity to make remarkable strides. As we continue to explore the cosmos, we carry with us the collective wisdom of our ancestors. Transatlantic Mars Crew 261 aspires to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing story of human discovery and progress, and on Sol 4 especially, we remain ever mindful of the vast expanse of deep time that surrounds us.