Crew 265 Journalist Report

May 2, 2022

Sol: 08

Summary Title: Not all who wander are lost…

Author: Sarah Treadwell, Crew Journalist

Sol 08 brought us another beautiful day with another long EVA. These EVA’s last about 4-5 hours and they are quite tiring. Today Commander Marc and I stayed back, while the rest of the crew went out to push the limits again of how far the radio systems will go. They also continue to test the maps and maps to check how accurate they are. Commander Marc explained to me the GPS units and showed the amount of satellites they pick up at any given time and, frankly, it is incredible. May this serve as a reminder how space exploration helps humanity.

While the crew was out, back on base the commander and I spent the day recharging our mental batteries and doing our own personal projects. I have become extremely fond of doing video editing and writing work in the science dome. I have also discovered that the acoustics in that dome are so much fun, and I spend far too much time singing and being silly. Frankly, being here and staying back is the much needed respite I have required for quite some time.

I also prepared the much anticipated and always talked about “Mars pizza” while they were away. Luckily for the crew, one of my specialties is bread making so we had amazing pizza, with a crust that was perfection, and with zero hopes for any leftovers. Making food for others is quite satisfying for me and the added challenge of dehydrated food makes it just a little bit more rewarding.

I know my reports are getting a bit repetitive, but in reality, this is what our days are like. The simple rhythm and routines are flying by and there are equal parts of me that want to be back home, but also want this peaceful simplicity to continue. I am sure my fellow crew members also feel the same way, especially as they enjoy trekking in the outside world, despite the hardships. A fellow expedition member, on my trek to base camp 1 on Mount Everest, said this to me so succinctly, “Often, the most difficult things to endure make the most beautiful memories.” I know there will be a lot to process about this experience upon my return. I end with, not a space quote, but a very notable and personal one to me nonetheless.

“All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Crew 265 Journalist Report, April 30, 2022

Sol: 07

Summary Title: A Day of Rest

Author: Sarah Treadwell, Crew Journalist

Today was our first day where all the crew stayed hab bound for the entire day. Personally, even though the day was filled with less activity, it still seemed to pass by quickly. Most of us slept in and then took showers, a luxury around these parts in order to conserve water.

We spent our day cleaning and sharing videos and memories from other experiences. Commander Marc spent some time at a research base in the South Pole and shared photos from that expedition. It is obvious this was a significant experience for him and he does not tire of sharing the stories of his time spent there. If you ever get a chance to meet him, ask him about the 300 club.

We are now prepping for dinner and a movie, a meal that is nicknamed “The Watney ” which is baked potatoes that Commander Marc brought with him. I suppose you can take a wild guess at what movie we are watching while we eat it. Executive Officer Dave shared a favorite show and an antique radio that he collected while we waited for them to bake.

Everyone else continued with their own projects and personal studies today. I was able to capture some extra interview questions with the Commander, one of which is a simple explanation of the radio system and how it is being upgraded. We then had a chance to have a one on one talk for a bit about lessons learned from the past and how to apply it into the future.

He asked me what I have noticed about myself in this experience thus far, and it made me want to end this report by sharing what I personally have noticed. I have learned that in an environment such as this, my insecurities and imposter syndrome feelings become a bit more amplified. I know so many others struggle with this and I wanted to share that I feel it often as well. But instead of believing that little voice that tells me I’m not enough, I think about the challenges I have overcome, the amount of work I have put into myself, and the example I am setting for my children. They will likely never read this report, but I hope I will make them proud.

“Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another.“ – Carl Sagan

Sol: 05
Summary Title: Sweet Emotions
Author: Sarah Treadwell, Crew Journalist

Today is Sol 05 here at the Mars Desert Research Station. It was another day with an EVA consisting of Commander Marc, Mapping Tech Benny, and Engineer Sergii. This was one of the longer and further tests of the new radio system thus far, and we are pleased to report that it is working in even the most challenging of areas.

With challenges comes rewards and for our EVA team today they certainly had that. To say the views they were treated to were stunning may be an understatement. The landscape here is dramatic and the emotions and reactions the crew returned with was that of awe and gratitude. Upon return, commander Marc removed his helmet and reported that he now could die a happy man.

Back at the station, the rest of us took turns operating as Capcom and preparing lunch. We also watched the maps and tracked the direction our EVA crew was heading. Mapping tech Isai flexed his culinary skills and made tortillas from scratch for lunch, which we made into chicken quesadillas. Needless to say, now no one is very hungry for dinner.

I’m noticing that this time is causing many of us to have time to reflect on where we currently are in our lives professionally, and where we would like to direct that going forward. It’s a familiar feeling for me and I often find that experiences like this give me some breathing room to process a wide range of ideas and emotions.

This experience has certainly for me highlighted how spotlight our emotions can be here as there is no place to completely bury them. We are all surrounded by people whom we haven’t ever met in person before arriving. Personally, I started this mission with some pretty low moments and now came back up with some pretty high moments. It’s unusual to have so much vulnerability without much rapport, which really is a challenge that really any randomly selected collaborative group must overcome.

Humans are undeniably sloppy, emotional, and prone to making mistakes. But we are also cognitive, intelligent, and inquisitive. All the puzzle pieces that make us who we are don’t have to be perfect. We simply must strive to do our best, help others, and enjoy our brief blip of moment of being alive.

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”

Crew 265 Journalist Report, April 27, 2022

Sol: 03

Summary Title: Breaking Bread.

Author: Sarah Treadwell, Crew Journalist

It is Sol 3 here at the Mars Desert Research Station. The days seem to pass slowly, yet quickly in a paradoxical way. Today’s day was filled with a lot of work on projects, largely independent of each other. The balance of personalities of our crew continues to compliment each other; with punctuated moments of interaction and stretches of solitude.

After reviewing maps for strategic areas to venture to, the day started with an EVA continuing to test different distance points for the new radio system. I acted again as Capcom, which is a role I enjoy filling. This likely comes as no surprise to those who know me, as I love to talk. During this time, Engineer Sergii worked on his project, which was installing smart lights within the habitat.

I began conducting interviews with my fellow crewmates in the beautiful science dome. I am by nature a people person and I’m always interested in hearing others’ stories. What I love about being a science communicator is connecting an audience to the minds behind the science. Though we are not a scientific-based mission, there are humans behind the work being done here and I’m inspired to see what motivates this crew.

Commander Marc seems pleased with the progress being made on the radio project and continues to map out future locations for testing. The EVA crew arrived back at the hab today just in time for lunch and for high winds to move in. As we settle into the evening, the wind continues to howl outside the habitat, reminding us what a sanctuary we get to share here to keep us safe from the elements.

Tonight, we made our most complex meal so far: Spaghetti with a meat and veggie sauce sided with homemade garlic bread and brownies for dessert. There was much excitement to gather together and share this meal, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all and accompanied by robust conversations.

It made me reflect on this time-honored tradition; the gathering together around food. Historically, on Earth, the hearth has long been the central point for human activity. According to archeologists, the oldest one ever discovered dates back to 300,000 years ago. Hearths haven’t merely served as a point for cooking food: it has been a place for humans to come together and share stories, past history, and impart wisdom. This is a place where thoughts and ideas are stirred together, while also fulfilling the biological needs of nourishment and warmth.

Today, though we may be explorers in the cosmic ocean, we are not that different from the humans who crossed the oceans to explore the Earth before us. Whether we gather around an ancient hearth, or at a table inside a Mars habitat, it will always be our shared humanity that connects us, no matter where we may roam.

“Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.” – Carl Sagan

Crew 265 Journalist Report, April 26, 2022

Sol: 02

Summary Title: A Walk to Remember.

Author: Sarah Treadwell, Crew Journalist

After another restless night’s sleep for this crew journalist, I awoke to the comforting smell of coffee brewing and the bustling of my fellow crew members preparing their breakfasts.

The day was off to a strong start, as our Commander Marc, Engineer Sergii, and Mapping Technicians Benny and Isai were scheduled for the very first EVA. This one was an important one, as they planned to hike to a nearby ridge to set up a new radio transmitter. This is a crucial first stage in our overall mission, which is to improve the communications systems for the station.

The energy was high as they left, with myself and Executive Officer Dave staying behind to act as CapCom (or as we call it, HabCom). However, upon return, the look of pure exhaustion was evident on their faces. Shortly after removing his helmet, Commander Marc exclaimed, “That was one of the hardest EVAs I’ve ever been on.”

The climb, while also carrying equipment, was strenuous and pushed all involved to their limits. The question soon became, was this first EVA worth the effort? Will the new transmitter access radio dead zones that the previous system has not? This question was soon to be answered with EVA number 2, consisting of myself, Executive Office Dave, and a, fairly exhausted, but still willing to go Engineer Sergii.

After we traveled around to different distant points, it seems clear that there is much promise for this new system, but some hiccups to work out. I personally enjoyed seeing the various rock formations and obvious evidence of water erosion in the canyon we walked around in. Further fine-tuning and testing of the radios will continue through the duration of the mission.

As we returned to the station and gathered back together for dinner, subtle reminders of home permeated our conversation. Some of us are still working on degrees and have studies to attend to and we talked about recent exams. We pondered how our choices have led us down paths we never expected while wondering how different our lives could have been having we picked a different route.

It’s a funny thing, wondering how much of our fates really are in our control. I have found that opportunities sometimes come when you least expect them and that other thing slips past us for the best. Our time here together at MDRS will certainly be a moment stamped in time. Hopefully, that will be a memorable part in the stories of our lives that we write.

“We as humans evolved as creatures who could learn to adapt to any situation, no matter how harsh. We will meet many setbacks on the way to Mars. However, we can persevere.” – Alex Mather, winner of the Name the Robot Essay contest to name the Mars 2020 Rover (Perseverance).

Crew 265 Journalist Report, April 26, 2022

Sol: 02

Summary Title: A Walk to Remember.

Author: Sarah Treadwell, Crew Journalist

After another restless night’s sleep for this crew journalist, I awoke to the comforting smell of coffee brewing and the bustling of my fellow crew members preparing their breakfasts.

The day was off to a strong start, as our Commander Marc, Engineer Sergii, and Mapping Technicians Benny and Isai were scheduled for the very first EVA. This one was an important one, as they planned to hike to a nearby ridge to set up a new radio transmitter. This is a crucial first stage in our overall mission, which is to improve the communications systems for the station.

The energy was high as they left, with myself and Executive Officer Dave staying behind to act as CapCom (or as we call it, HabCom). However, upon return, the look of pure exhaustion was evident on their faces. Shortly after removing his helmet, Commander Marc exclaimed, “That was one of the hardest EVAs I’ve ever been on.”

The climb, while also carrying equipment, was strenuous and pushed all involved to their limits. The question soon became, was this first EVA worth the effort? Will the new transmitter access radio dead zones that the previous system has? This question was soon to be answered with EVA number 2, consisting of myself, Executive Office Dave, and a, fairly exhausted, but still willing to go Engineer Sergii.

After we traveled around to different distant points, it seems clear that there is much promise for this new system, but some hiccups to work out. I personally enjoyed seeing the various rock formations and obvious evidence of water erosion in the canyon we walked around in. Further fine-tuning and testing of the radios will continue through the duration of the mission.

As we returned to the station and gathered back together for dinner, subtle reminders of home permeated our conversation. Some of us are still working on degrees and have studies to attend to and we talked about recent exams. We pondered how our choices have led us down paths we never expected while wondering how different our lives could have been had we picked a different route.

It’s a funny thing, wondering how much of our fates really are in our control. I have found that opportunities sometimes come when you least expect it and that other things slip past us for the best. Our time here together at MDRS will certainly be a moment stamped in time. Hopefully, that will be a memorable part of the stories of our lives that we write.

“We as humans evolved as creatures who could learn to adapt to any situation, no matter how harsh. We will meet many setbacks on the way to Mars. However, we can persevere.” – Alex Mather, winner of the Name the Robot Essay contest to name the Mars 2020 Rover (Perseverance).

Sol: 01

Summary Title: And so it begins…

Author: Sarah Treadwell, Crew Journalist

Sim officially started today at 12:00 p.m. and the crew was prepared and eager to begin. After spending the morning and the previous half day training and settling in, we began our mission preparing for the busy two weeks ahead.

Battery tests were performed on the EVA suits. In addition, current radio systems functions were briefed to us by Commander Marc and Executive Officer Dave. Maps were reviewed and plans were made for destinations for upcoming EVA’s that will test new radio systems that may eventually replace the old.

Our crew so far is very cohesive. None of us knew each other prior to being assigned to this mission and we all come from varying backgrounds and experiences. The scent of our dinner cooking accompanies quiet conversation as I type, and I’m certain that these two weeks will ebb and flow with few difficulties.

Everyone is looking forward to a warm up in the weather over these next couple of days. Personally, I am looking forward to a good night’s rest as the past week and the journey of getting here to Mars was extremely stressful and I had a hard time sleeping last night adjusting to all the new noises of the station. I will be giving some thoughtful interviews amongst my crew members and hope to highlight the hopes and goals they have for themselves and our group as a whole.

To finish and inspired by the crew journalist that preceded me, I decided I wanted to share some favorite space themed quotes over the course of these two weeks:

“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there–on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” – Carl Sagan

[ Solvitur ambulando ] Journalist Report
Crew 245 Journalist report 20 April 2022
Sol: 10
Name of person filing the report: Dr. Benjamin Pothier

Our stay on the red planet is getting closer to its end and it made me wonder if this experience already changed me. All members of the crew are undoubtedly overachievers and multitaskers, a type of profile that fits perfectly with our mission.

Even though we all have our repetitive tasks that in a way summarize our main specialties, from the crew engineer to the commander, from the crew journalist to the executive officer, or from the health and safety officer to the crew scientist, there is at least one task that is always new for us: to conduct EVA, to go and explore the close and far surroundings of our habitat, a human oasis in the middle of this desert land.

The Bard would probably once again enjoy this quote from Heraclitus: "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man."

So yes in a way though we are all highly adaptive yet constant human beings in this crew, each and every extra-vehicular activity changes us. We are field researchers, and we solve problems by walking: "Solvitur ambulando". Another step on the Martian soil, then another, then another…

(sator arepo tenet opera rotas)
Crew 245 Journalist report 19 April 2022
Sol: 09
Name of person filling the report: Dr Benjamin Pothier

Our sol 9 might have gone upside down and from 9 to 6 due to the heavy winds that we had to face this afternoon. It was in fact so heavy that no teams went on EVA and even at some point in the afternoon I think that everyone had to take a little nap just to enjoy the comfort of our private room where the sound of the exterior was less loud.

I was in fact the first to wake up very early this morning in order to catch the sunrise from the bay window of the science Lab in order to take some time lapse and still photos.

As I said the afternoon was very windy and when not taking a nap crew members took care of their experiment and duties. Most of us at some point went to see Simone working in the science lab on his DNA research on the soil samples he had been collecting conscientiously for the past few days, like Arepo leading the plough with his hand. So in a way maybe the wind indeed pushed our sol 9 upside down, but by our work we made it full circle and back to its starting position, in a full 360°, like the spherical images of my 360 camera that I am currently processing .

A full circle, yes, that was a great day on Mars.

[ Φύσις κρύπτεσθαι φιλεῖ ] Journalist Report
Crew 245 Journalist report 18 April 2022
Sol: 08
Name of person filling the report: Dr Benjamin Pothier

Days are becoming more and more packed here at the MDRS station. All the members of crew 245 want to conduct as many experiences and projects as they can while we are still living on Martian ground. From testing a helmet prototype to 3D printing in the RAM, and from 3D scanning rock formations around the station to making a 3D digital copy of the lower deck. It’s been a very busy day and we aren’t done yet as I have to participate with Luca in a neuroscience experiment involving a portable EEG headset before going to bed. We just had an amazing dinner with a main meal prepared by Nadia (Martian shepherd’s pie) and Luca is vacuum cleaning the upper deck as I type my report. These are chunks of our lives on Mars, like meteorites flashing in the sky, burning bright. A strange mix of the raw, the harsh, the mundane and the transcendent. As Heraclitus would say "Φύσις κρύπτεσθαι φιλεῖ" or "Nature loves to conceal herself", I do agree though yesterday’s night we managed to catch a bit of her : a night lapse of the station surrounded by the great Bear, the "Ursa Major" constellation. So yes, Nature loves to conceal herself, even on Mars, but like the Ursa Major we face events and remain constant.

—
Benjamin Pothier

The Explorers Club (NYC) International Fellow Member
PhD Researcher, CAIIA (Centre for Advanced Inquiry in Integrative Arts)
Planetary Collegium, Plymouth University.
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/benjamin-pothier