Category: Journalist Report

30th January, 2019.
Sol 2:

Good Morning from Mars!

The Morning had never been so fascinating when you get an opportunity to observe a completely new horizon from a tiny window. It looks like the sun has spread his arms to hug the mountains and the mountains blush and become red! This is the Crew Journalist and Health and Safety Officer(HSO) Sonal Baberwal reporting live from the lower deck of the habitat observing the beauty of nature.

Preparing and serving powdered food in breakfast, are we really on Mars or on the preparation to be on Mars? What do you think does the powdered food taste like? Well, let me tell you there is an advancement. From the time where there was no flavour in the paste food served to astronauts till the time powdered food had got a great taste.

By the way, did I mention about preparation? Yes, we are preparing for bringing new life here on Mars. The tiny seeds are getting prepared for germination and see the Martian world around them. Looking forward to seeing the GreenHab officer and the crew trying some experiments with the soil in hope for the leaves of the plant to rise over this soil.

And the most awaiting moment comes here. The very first EVA experience, the very first experience to wear the spacesuit. I feel the words are becoming less to describe the emotions of having this experience and getting dressed. It feels more exciting than a bride getting dressed for her wedding!

We had 2 EVAs. Wait a minute, we had only one EVA planned, so where did a sudden EVA come from? Don’t you think it’s like a fairytale that you have been invited for an EVA on a special authorization by Mission Support for a special guest and photographer Mr. Jad Davenport. The first one was performed by Kunal (Space Bot) and Avishek (carbon flight) to an opportunity to participate in the photography session. This was followed by the EVA by Patil (cosmos) and Sonal (Mars bag) to collect soil samples.

The day went busy but awesome and with a lot of exciting activities. Looking forward to the new day with new hope! Stay connected with the Crew204 and we invite you to be the part of the mission towards the destination!

Sonal Baberwal, Crew 204 Journalist

Journalist Report

Author: Sonal Baberwal

Hello from Mars!

Have you ever traveled to an unknown destiny? Yes, maybe or no! Our life is a journey to another unknown destiny in cosmos! isn’t it?

Then why not start with some small steps towards exploration? Like how we landed on Moon and this time on Mars. Crew 204 (Nix Olympica) is stepping towards future Mars settlement with following the footprint of analogue simulation organized by the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS).

The journey has never been easy! But it’s worth pursuing a simulation mission that teaches discipline with an interdisciplinary aspect. Yes, that’s what we’ve thought and found in MDRS.

Well, let’s come to the actual journey that brought us to the destiny that we’ve always been dreaming of. Yes this day was well deserved after huge efforts to reach the destination. We invite you to join our journey and to get to know about our experiences. We really miss our crews as they couldn’t make it due to diplomatic complications, however after great efforts we four could make it out of eight!

This was a really interesting journey. Like someone said, ‘One never gets the desired destination without having obstacles’. Myself, Sonal Baberwal traveled from India to France followed by San Diego, USA and an on-road journey towards Utah. Kunal traveled from Italy to New York to Salt Lake city Utah, where I met him and we left towards Grand Junction where we met Avishek who traveled from United Kingdom to Las Vegas and further Grand Junction. However, after confirmation, we all traveled from Grand Junction towards Mars Desert Research Station. Our crewmate Cosmos Patil had arrived today that made it more valuable.

The biggest challenge was to receive the lost baggage that had valuable research things like the rover. After efforts of 6 days, the bag was received at the Hollow Mountain.

The Crew had a very warm welcome by the mission support members Atalia and David and the Martian Dog Pub. What if we could take these lovely animals (dogs) with us to Mars? The day had been exciting as we had the training for the simulation.

Note: Photos will be sent through separate email.

Title: Across the Universe
Author: David Mateus

With the last days full of Latin American music it is evident that we miss our home, the green of the Colombian mountains, the taste of our fruits, the voice of our relatives and dance with the rhythm of salsa brava.

By getting involved in a trip to other worlds we do not stop being human, we will always need a hug and it will be inevitable to shed some tears from time to time. Mars teaches us that difficulties on land were only part of a training, that we always have something more to learn and that we do not advance just by ourselves.

I will never forget his great sense of humor, your ability to cook exquisite dishes with dehydrated food, your disposition in the maintenance of the habitat systems, your resistance in the EVAs, your professionalism, your companionship, your tolerance, your happiness. I hope to see you soon and to continue working for this beautiful dream. I still have a lot to do on Mars, a lot to learn and I’m happy to stay a little longer, but I’m sad that I will not be with you tomorrow enjoying the beautiful scenery on the way to Grand Junction.

The 204 crew receives the immaculate RAM and science dome, a greener Greenhab, an observatory where our remote astronomer followed the most amazing images and a cozy main Hab where for two weeks our laughers were heard. We hope you have an excellent stay in this that was our home and be aware of the great responsibility that remains in your hands.

Title: “A Commander comes back down to Earth, and knows…”

Author: Oscar Ojeda

And just like this, the mission comes to an end. I can sound repetitive, but I can’t be happier with the crew that got here, thanks to their personal path. Each one of them with their personal and professional inputs made better each minute of this Sols, Hermes with his energy and comments, Freddy with his disposition and abilities, David with his madness and enthusiasm, Yael with her tenderness and discipline, Liza with her spot-on comments and passion, and Santiago with those photos of the sky that left us amazed. I just hope to have been up to it as a Commander.

How is it like to be on Mars? Demanding, and a lot… Physicaly, mentaly, emotionaly, and I would even dare to say, spiritualy. Being in a desert in the middle of nowhere is at the same time an inspiring and overwhelming sensation. Just hearing the voices of the 6 crewmembers for two weeks, just eating dehydrated food, at the same time that you perform physically demanding tasks as the EVAs are, it’s not easy… things fail often, a small problem can become quickly into a crisis, people get stressed, tired, bored… but it just takes a look out of the window, remember where we are, remember the people we love, who we left behind… and all that vanishes, and a great wave of enthusiasm to keep going comes, and to fight for the success of the mission and, of course, for our dreams.

What do I miss being here? It’s curious… the simplest things. A fried egg, given that there’s only powdered egg (yes, powdered “Egg”), a tree, wind, a hot shower, hopefully a long one, fresh fruit, and of course, my cat Spock (And everyone who I love and love me back, or, how Matt Bellamy would say “The people who care if I live or die”).

What won’t I miss? The fast pace of life, the hyperconnectivity, the bad news, maybe traffic, just that in the life that awaits me back on Earth there’s not much traffic, among other things.

And yes, it’s going to be a wonderful memory. And I hope, the beginning of many new and good things. Every second was worth it. And just like life, sometimes the sense of them is that they have an end.

And the stars look very different today…

Per Aspera Ad Astra

Titulo: “A Commander comes back down to Earth, and knows…”

Autor: Oscar Ojeda

Y así, de repente, la misión llega a su fin. Puedo sonar repetitivo, pero no puedo estar más felíz con la tripulación que llegó hasta acá, gracias al camino personal de cada uno. Cada uno de ellos con sus aportes personales y profesionales hizo mejor cada minuto de estos Soles, Hermes con su energía y sus comentarios, Freddy con su disposición y sus habilidades, David con su locura y entusiasmo, Yael con su ternura y disciplina, Liza con sus apuntes y su pasión, y Santiago con esas fotos del cielo que nos dejaban con la boca abierta. Yo solo espero haber estado a la altura como Comandante.

¿Cómo es estar en Marte? Demandante, y mucho… fisica, mental, emocional, y, me atrevería a decir, hasta espiritualmente. El estar en un desierto en medio de la nada es al mismo tiempo una sensación inspiradora y sobrecogedora, el solo oir por dos semanas las voces de los 6 tripulantes, el solo comer comida deshidratada, al tiempo que realizas una actividad física fuerte, como lo son los EVA, es fuerte… las cosas fallan a menudo, un pequeño problema se puede convertir rápidamente en una crisis, las personas se estresan, se cansan, se aburren… pero basta mirar por la ventana, recordar donde estamos, recordar a las personas que queremos, que dejamos atrás… y todo eso desaparece y viene una ola de ganas de seguir adelante y de luchar por el éxito de la misión y, por supuesto, por nuestros sueños.

¿Qué extraño estando acá? es curioso… las cosas mas sencillas. Un huevo frito, ya que acá solo hay huevo en polvo (si, “huevo” en polvo), un árbol, el viento, una ducha caliente, ojala larga, fruta fresca, y por supuesto a mi gato Spock (y a todos los que quiero y me quieren, o como lo diria Matt Bellamy, “toda la gente que se preocupa si vivo o muero”).

¿Qué no extraño? el acelere de la vida, la hiperconectividad, las malas noticias, el tráfico quizá, solo que en la vida que me espera en la Tierra tampoco es que haya mucho tráfico, entre otras cosas.

Y si, va a ser un recuerdo maravilloso. Y espero, el comienzo de muchas cosas nuevas y buenas. Cada segundo valió la pena. Y así como la vida, a veces el sentido de las cosas es que tienen fin.

Y las estrellas se ven muy direrentes hoy…

Per Aspera Ad Astra

Tittle: The Great Journey.

Author:Hermes Bolivar.

Sun number 12 of the mission, The Sun rises and each of the crew are available to their daily tasks and at the same time begins the expectation of their return to Earth, in each of us rolls the uncertainty of our return, everything that awaits in our lives, return to the routines of work and research, to cities full of people, with their daily problems.

Mars has offered us a hostile environment, but in turn unimaginable landscapes and a tranquility that has no price, that is what undoubtedly those crew members who left today to their extra vehicular activity thought. This type of environments that are increasingly less frequent on Earth stimulate our imagination and makes us reflect on how small we are in this vast and mysterious universe. It also makes us understand that this new world is just a small step through this great journey that we have started from our origin as a species.

Meanwhile, today I had to stay at the station, taking care of its maintenance and research projects. Some of them without problems, others of them that still require our attention. In the GreenHab, my job, the plants with their green color and their variety of aromas remind me of those mountainous fields of the Colombian Andes from which I come and miss.

Only a few days after returning to Earth, there are many lessons that I have from this place. I have understood that before this adventure comes to its conclusion, the experience we have had here is like the seed of one of the many plants that I have sown in the GreenHab, and that from this, the generation that will start the Great journey through the cosmos shall come.

Journalist report

Titulo: El Gran Viaje.

Autor: Hermes Bolívar

Sol numero 12 de misión, Amanece y cada uno de los tripulantes se disponen a sus quehaceres diarios y al mismo tiempo comienza la expectativa de su vuelta a la tierra, en cada uno de nosotros rueda la incertidumbre de su regreso, de todo lo que nos espera en nuestras vidas, volver a las rutinas del trabajo y de la investigación, a las ciudades llenas de personas, con sus problemas cotidianos.

Marte nos ha ofrecido un ambiente hostil, pero a su vez paisajes inimaginables y una tranquilidad que no tiene precio, eso es lo que sin duda pensaron aquellos tripulantes que salieron el día de hoy a su actividad extra vehicular. Este tipo de ambientes que cada vez son menos frecuentes en la tierra estimulan nuestra imaginación y hace que reflexionemos acerca de lo pequeños que somos en este basto y misterioso universo. También nos hace entender, que este nuevo mundo es apenas un pequeño paso a través de este gran viaje que hemos iniciado desde nuestro origen como especie.

Mientras tanto, hoy yo tuve que quedarme en la estación ocupándome de su mantenimiento y de los proyectos de investigación. Algunos de ellos sin inconvenientes, otros de ellos que aun requieren de nuestra atención. En el GreenHab, mi puesto de trabajo, las plantas con su color verde y su variedad de aromas me hacen recordar aquellos campos montañosos de los andes colombianos de los cuales vengo y extraño.

A solo pocos días de regresar a la tierra, son muchas las lecciones que me quedan de este lugar. He comprendido que antes de que esta aventura llegue a su conclusión, la experiencia que hemos tenido aquí es como la semilla de una de las muchas plantas que he sembrado en el GreenHab, y que de esta, germinara la generación que dará el inicio al gran viaje a través del cosmos.

Between skies on fire and colored grounds

Author: Liza Forero

The dawn arrives without haste and with silent giving way to the eleventh sun of our peaceful stay. While the sky is in chromatic flames that are appeased with the passing of minutes, I breathe in the cold air and fill myself with calm and peace, an ephemeral and volatile peace that can only be achieved in those small moments of privacy between an infinite landscape and the soul.

The sunrise ends, and it predicts us a sunny and calm day. I see reflected in my partners the fatigue of the hard work and effort they used in this dream, in this experience turned into a tangible reality, but at the same time, I see reflected in the new perspectives and yearnings of new adventures.

Fatigue manifests itself in some of us in illnesses and in others in long silences, but we decided to give the space and the time that each one needs so they can recover while the rest of us cover all the tasks, like the team that we are, to be able to fulfill the objectives set before.

During our EVA I cannot avoid comparing the diverse range of colors that this place offers me and how it varies according to the time, according to the place and according to the perceptible beyond the view. The different lines of colors that range from violet to green and red make me believe that this space is a canvas that is renewed and that changes every day, bringing new teachings, new perspectives, new reflections.

Excited to see the geological wealth offered by a small area in the middle of the desert, my partners and I rejoiced and marveled at the sight of our feet small pieces of history, history petrified for hundreds of years and that manifests itself to our eyes in small fossils and rocks of multiple shapes and colors. Before such distraction, the minutes fly and we remember that we must return to where our friends are waiting for us to listen to our experience in the field.

The day ends, and the colors dissipate on the horizon, we know that the countdown begins and that the last days in this desert paradise must be treasured to remember them with pleasure while each one continues his own way to new adventures.

Entre cielos de fuego y suelos de colores

Autor: Liza Forero

El alba llega sin prisa y silencioso dando paso al onceavo sol de nuestra apacible estancia. Mientras el cielo se encuentra en llamas cromáticas que se apaciguan con el pasar de los minutos, respiro el aire frío y me lleno de tranquilidad y paz, una paz efímera y volátil que sólo puede conseguirse en esos pequeños momentos de privacidad entre un paisaje infinito y el alma.

El amanecer termina y consigo pronostica un día soleado y tranquilo. Veo en mis compañeros reflejado el cansancio del trabajo y esfuerzo empleado en este sueño, en esta experiencia convertida en una realidad tangible, pero a la vez logro ver reflejado en ellos nuevas perspectivas y añoranzas de nuevas aventuras.

El cansancio se manifiesta en algunos de nosotros en enfermedades y en otros en largos silencios, pero decidimos dar el espacio y el tiempo que cada uno necesita para que se recuperen mientras los demás cubrimos todas las labores y así entre todos, como el equipo que somos, poder cumplir con los objetivos trazados.

Durante nuestro EVA no puedo evitar comparar la diversa gama de colores que me brinda este lugar y cómo esta varía de acuerdo a la hora, de acuerdo al lugar y de acuerdo a lo perceptible más allá de la vista. Las diferentes líneas de colores que van desde violetas hasta verdes y rojizos me hace creer que este espacio es un lienzo que cada día se renueva, que cada día muta, trayendo consigo nuevas enseñanzas, nuevas perspectivas, nuevas reflexiones.

Emocionados de ver la riqueza geológica que nos ofrece una pequeña zona en medio del desierto, mis compañeros y yo nos regocijamos y maravillamos al ver a nuestros pies pequeños trozos de historia, historia petrificada por cientos de años y que se manifiesta ante nuestros ojos en pequeños fósiles y rocas de múltiples formas y colores. Ante tal distracción los minutos vuelan y recordamos que debemos volver a donde nos esperan para escuchar nuestra experiencia en campo.

El día se termina y los colores se disipan en el horizonte, sabemos que la cuenta regresiva empieza y que los últimos días en este desértico paraíso debemos atesorarlos para luego recordarlos con agrado mientras cada uno continúa su propio camino a nuevas aventuras.

Title: One of the best landscapes I’ve seen in my life …

By: Freddy Castaneda

Here we are, the cold of the morning awakens us earlier than expected, the sun still does not appear on the horizon but our day is already beginning. The crew is waiting with some uncertainty for a scheduled visit for today, after 10 strange days on Mars, we will finally see a different face. Our HSO (Crew Scientist) prepares a delicious breakfast, as the best style of our land she surprises us with a heated rice, beans, and eggs, a flavor that has a "Ratatouille effect" in some of us, I have to admit that there is no chance of being at risk for lack of food while she and our commander are in charge of feeding.

As if it were a bad joke, the breakfast of Hermes, our Greenhab Officer, is interrupted with the incoming of our visitors, is one of the few things that can annoy this great adventure partner who has become the soul of the crew. But hey, ultimately it did not matter, there are new faces in the habitat, new voices, this has not happened for 10 days and although it may seem like a short time, believe me, it not like that here; It is a daily situation of supreme simplicity on our planet of origin, however, under the current circumstances we see it as such an event. The reporters have arrived, their kindness meets our hospitality and everything flows well, they seem not to understand how it is possible that we may be living in this hostile environment, alone on this planet.

They will accompany us during our day, document our activity and then share it with their people, from their own perspective but through our eyes. Enchanted with the idea, we invite them to be part of our EVA, scheduled to start before noon. A short tour in the Rovers and we are already in Pooh’s Corner, the first view of the day is provided by the habitat itself, in the distance we can see that "little station”, our home, subjected to the inclement environment, vulnerable in the middle of the desert …

A quick tour and we return to leave our vehicles; we now have to walk to go in search of the highest peak to which we will climb on this magnificent trip. After a long "climb" on a hill with slopes that barely exceed 20% of inclination but that seem like a real wall with our suits on. Finally, the arduous road had a great reward, one of the best landscapes I have seen in my life … silence says it all, we were dumb under such immensity, marveling at the implacable presence of the desert, kilometers, and kilometers of solitude, only we are here. For several minutes we held our breath just to let ourselves be carried away by the sight, it is impossible not to feel the spirituality of the place. Fatigue reminds us that we must continue on our way, although we arrived here in a short period of time now we must return to the safety of the habitat and the way back will not be the same one we came for. Twenty minutes after leaving that view behind we can see our home from a distance, I think it is the first time that we all arrived from an EVA with a big smile drawn on our faces, what a good day.

Our visitors met us at the station and immersed themselves in our daily lives, taking careful note of our jobs. The work is done, the energy returns to our bodies to share a delicious lunch that the girls of our crew have prepared with love, it is late for lunch but this is life on Mars, a final reflection invades me when I answer a short question that that kind visitor makes to each of the crew: why is this mission important for your country? This simple question has been deeply engraved in my mind and now I just hope I can answer it with facts rather than words.

Titulo: Uno de los mejores paisajes que he visto en mi vida…

Por: Freddy Castañeda

Aquí estamos, el frío de la mañana nos despierta antes de lo previsto, el sol aún no asoma en el horizonte pero nuestro día ya comienza. La tripulación espera con algo de incertidumbre una visita programada para hoy, después de 10 extraños días en Marte veremos por fin una cara diferente. Nuestra HSO (Crew Scientist) prepara un delicioso desayuno, al mejor estilo de nuestra tierra nos sorprende con un calentado de arroz, frijoles y huevo, un sabor que tiene “efecto Ratatouille” en varios de nosotros, tengo que reconocer que no existe la más mínima posibilidad de estar en riesgo por falta de comida mientras ella y nuestro comandante estén a cargo de la alimentación. Como si se tratara de una mala broma, el desayuno de Hermes, nuestro Greenhab Officer, se ve interrumpido por la aparición de nuestros visitantes, es una de las pocas cosas que pueden molestar a éste gran compañero de aventura quien se ha convertido en el alma de la tripulación. Pero bueno, en últimas no importó, hay caras nuevas en el hábitat, voces nuevas, esto no ocurría desde hace 10 días y aunque parezca poco tiempo créanme, no lo es aquí; es una situación cotidiana de suprema simpleza en nuestro planeta de origen, sin embargo, bajo las circunstancias actuales lo vemos como todo un acontecimiento. Los reporteros han llegado, su amabilidad se encuentra con nuestra hospitalidad y todo fluye bien, parecen no entender cómo es posible que podamos estar viviendo en este ambiente hostil, solos en éste planeta. Nos acompañaran durante nuestro día, documentaran nuestra actividad para luego compartirla con su gente, desde su propia perspectiva pero a través de nuestros ojos. Encantados con la idea, los invitamos a ser parte de nuestra EVA, programada para comenzar antes del mediodía. Un corto recorrido en los Rovers y ya estamos en Pooh’s Corner, la primera vista del día nos la brinda el propio hábitat, a la distancia se ve aquella “pequeña estación”, nuestro hogar, sometida al inclemente ambiente, vulnerable en la mitad del desierto…

Un rápido recorrido y regresamos para dejar nuestros vehículos, nos disponemos ahora a caminar para ir en búsqueda de la cumbre más alta a la que subiremos en este magnífico viaje. Luego de una larga “escalada” por una colina con pendientes que apenas superan el 20% de inclinación pero que nos parecen un verdadero muro por estar utilizando nuestros trajes. Finalmente, el arduo camino tuvo una gran recompensa, uno de los mejores paisajes que he visto en mi vida… el silencio lo dice todo, quedamos mudos ante tal inmensidad, maravillados con la implacable presencia del desierto, kilómetros y kilómetros de soledad, únicamente nosotros estamos aquí. Por varios minutos sostuvimos el aliento tan solo para dejarnos llevar por la vista, es imposible no sentir la espiritualidad del lugar. El cansancio nos recuerda que debemos continuar nuestro camino, si bien llegamos hasta aquí en un corto periodo de tiempo ahora debemos regresar a la seguridad del hábitat y el camino de regreso no será el mismo por el que vinimos. 20 minutos después de dejar aquella vista atrás ya podemos ver a la distancia nuestro hogar, creo que es la primera vez que todos llegamos de una EVA con una sonrisa dibujada en nuestras caras, que buen día.

Nuestros visitantes recorren la estación, se sumergen en nuestra cotidianidad y toman atenta nota de nuestro trabajo. La labor está hecha, la energía retorna a nuestros cuerpos al compartir un rico almuerzo que las niñas de nuestra tripulación han preparado con todo cariño, es tarde para almorzar pero así es la vida en Marte, una reflexión final me invade al contestar una corta pregunta que aquel amable visitante nos hace a cada uno de los tripulantes: por qué es importante esta misión para su país? Esta simple pregunta ha quedado profundamente grabada en mi mente y ahora solo espero poder responderla con hechos más que con palabras.

Title: One of the best landscapes I’ve seen in my life …

By: Freddy Castaneda

Here we are, the cold of the morning awakens us earlier than expected, the sun still does not appear on the horizon but our day is already beginning. The crew is waiting with some uncertainty for a scheduled visit for today, after 10 strange days on Mars, we will finally see a different face. Our HSO (Crew Scientist) prepares a delicious breakfast, as the best style of our land she surprises us with a heated rice, beans, and eggs, a flavor that has a "Ratatouille effect" in some of us, I have to admit that there is no chance of being at risk for lack of food while she and our commander are in charge of feeding.

As if it were a bad joke, the breakfast of Hermes, our Greenhab Officer, is interrupted with the incoming of our visitors, is one of the few things that can annoy this great adventure partner who has become the soul of the crew. But hey, ultimately it did not matter, there are new faces in the habitat, new voices, this has not happened for 10 days and although it may seem like a short time, believe me, it not like that here; It is a daily situation of supreme simplicity on our planet of origin, however, under the current circumstances we see it as such an event.

The reporters have arrived, their kindness meets our hospitality and everything flows well, they seem not to understand how it is possible that we may be living in this hostile environment, alone on this planet. They will accompany us during our day, document our activity and then share it with their people, from their own perspective but through our eyes. Enchanted with the idea, we invite them to be part of our EVA, scheduled to start before noon. A short tour in the Rovers and we are already in Pooh’s Corner, the first view of the day is provided by the habitat itself, in the distance we can see that "little station”, our home, subjected to the inclement environment, vulnerable in the middle of the desert …

A quick tour and we return to leave our vehicles; we now have to walk to go in search of the highest peak to which we will climb on this magnificent trip. After a long "climb" on a hill with slopes that barely exceed 20% of inclination but that seem like a real wall with our suits on. Finally, the arduous road had a great reward, one of the best landscapes I have seen in my life … silence says it all, we were dumb under such immensity, marveling at the implacable presence of the desert, kilometers, and kilometers of solitude, only we are here. For several minutes we held our breath just to let ourselves be carried away by the sight, it is impossible not to feel the spirituality of the place.

Fatigue reminds us that we must continue on our way, although we arrived here in a short period of time now we must return to the safety of the habitat and the way back will not be the same one we came for. Twenty minutes after leaving that view behind we can see our home from a distance, I think it is the first time that we all arrived from an EVA with a big smile drawn on our faces, what a good day.

Our visitors met us at the station and immersed themselves in our daily lives, taking careful note of our jobs. The work is done, the energy returns to our bodies to share a delicious lunch that the girls of our crew have prepared with love, it is late for lunch but this is life on Mars, a final reflection invades me when I answer a short question that that kind visitor makes to each of the crew: why is this mission important for your country? This simple question has been deeply engraved in my mind and now I just hope I can answer it with facts rather than words.

Titulo: Uno de los mejores paisajes que he visto en mi vida…

Por: Freddy Castañeda

Aquí estamos, el frío de la mañana nos despierta antes de lo previsto, el sol aún no asoma en el horizonte pero nuestro día ya comienza. La tripulación espera con algo de incertidumbre una visita programada para hoy, después de 10 extraños días en Marte veremos por fin una cara diferente. Nuestra HSO (Crew Scientist) prepara un delicioso desayuno, al mejor estilo de nuestra tierra nos sorprende con un calentado de arroz, frijoles y huevo, un sabor que tiene “efecto Ratatouille” en varios de nosotros, tengo que reconocer que no existe la más mínima posibilidad de estar en riesgo por falta de comida mientras ella y nuestro comandante estén a cargo de la alimentación. Como si se tratara de una mala broma, el desayuno de Hermes, nuestro Greenhab Officer, se ve interrumpido por la aparición de nuestros visitantes, es una de las pocas cosas que pueden molestar a éste gran compañero de aventura quien se ha convertido en el alma de la tripulación. Pero bueno, en últimas no importó, hay caras nuevas en el hábitat, voces nuevas, esto no ocurría desde hace 10 días y aunque parezca poco tiempo créanme, no lo es aquí; es una situación cotidiana de suprema simpleza en nuestro planeta de origen, sin embargo, bajo las circunstancias actuales lo vemos como todo un acontecimiento. Los reporteros han llegado, su amabilidad se encuentra con nuestra hospitalidad y todo fluye bien, parecen no entender cómo es posible que podamos estar viviendo en este ambiente hostil, solos en éste planeta. Nos acompañaran durante nuestro día, documentaran nuestra actividad para luego compartirla con su gente, desde su propia perspectiva pero a través de nuestros ojos. Encantados con la idea, los invitamos a ser parte de nuestra EVA, programada para comenzar antes del mediodía. Un corto recorrido en los Rovers y ya estamos en Pooh’s Corner, la primera vista del día nos la brinda el propio hábitat, a la distancia se ve aquella “pequeña estación”, nuestro hogar, sometida al inclemente ambiente, vulnerable en la mitad del desierto…

Un rápido recorrido y regresamos para dejar nuestros vehículos, nos disponemos ahora a caminar para ir en búsqueda de la cumbre más alta a la que subiremos en este magnífico viaje. Luego de una larga “escalada” por una colina con pendientes que apenas superan el 20% de inclinación pero que nos parecen un verdadero muro por estar utilizando nuestros trajes. Finalmente, el arduo camino tuvo una gran recompensa, uno de los mejores paisajes que he visto en mi vida… el silencio lo dice todo, quedamos mudos ante tal inmensidad, maravillados con la implacable presencia del desierto, kilómetros y kilómetros de soledad, únicamente nosotros estamos aquí. Por varios minutos sostuvimos el aliento tan solo para dejarnos llevar por la vista, es imposible no sentir la espiritualidad del lugar. El cansancio nos recuerda que debemos continuar nuestro camino, si bien llegamos hasta aquí en un corto periodo de tiempo ahora debemos regresar a la seguridad del hábitat y el camino de regreso no será el mismo por el que vinimos. 20 minutos después de dejar aquella vista atrás ya podemos ver a la distancia nuestro hogar, creo que es la primera vez que todos llegamos de una EVA con una sonrisa dibujada en nuestras caras, que buen día.

Nuestros visitantes recorren la estación, se sumergen en nuestra cotidianidad y toman atenta nota de nuestro trabajo. La labor está hecha, la energía retorna a nuestros cuerpos al compartir un rico almuerzo que las niñas de nuestra tripulación han preparado con todo cariño, es tarde para almorzar pero así es la vida en Marte, una reflexión final me invade al contestar una corta pregunta que aquel amable visitante nos hace a cada uno de los tripulantes: por qué es importante esta misión para su país? Esta simple pregunta ha quedado profundamente grabada en mi mente y ahora solo espero poder responderla con hechos más que con palabras.

Sol 9

Title: Game Over, Insert Coin

Author: Yael Natalia Méndez / Crew Scientist and HSO

A night of total darkness, full of fog and stories of terror, accompanied our dreams. It is curious that all the crew have had surreal dreams where they combine the reality that awaits us outside with the daily life of the station. It dawned snowing, it doesn’t stop being worrying the uncertainty of knowing if we can make the EVA, not only for the science that we want to do but for the opportunity to go out to "breathe fresh air".

With a finished puzzle and the missing Table topics cards, we started the routine. We go a little more than half of the rotation and fatigue is evident, the spirits a little low, however, we are all doing our best to continue making the most of this experience. Today I would like to embrace my family and my friends, I have read their messages and at this moment they can not imagine how important it is to receive them, that little greeting renews the spirit and gives strength to continue.

With an approved EVA, we started the journey to the moons. With the weather conditions against us, we raffle the situation well, we have great samples. We marvel at landscapes of colored clays, resembling the vegetation of our beautiful Colombian mountains. The cold did not stop us, our bodies were tired, frozen, however, none wanted to return yet, we all wanted to see that immensity. Once back home, what we now call home, we only hoped to have the warmth of a "aguapanelita". Only 9 soles have passed and we already want to eat "arepa", "mango biche", "bom bom bum", even though we have enjoyed delicious Colombian dishes like the beans of yesterday and the “calentao” of this morning.

Those things are undoubtedly important, but what made me reflect today was the fact that Mars is a hostile environment to preserve human life, how would we make the right decisions to survive? If the life of a friend were at risk, how would we act? Today I’m really happy because our EVA is part of a simulation and we all return home …

Sol 9

Title: Game Over, Insert Coin

Autor: Yael Natalia Méndez / Científica y Oficial de Salud y Seguridad.

Una noche de total oscuridad, llena de bruma e historias de terror, acompañó nuestros sueños. Es curioso que todos los tripulantes han tenido sueños surrealistas donde combinan la realidad que nos aguarda afuera con la cotidianidad de la estación. Amaneció nevando, no deja de ser preocupante la incertidumbre de saber si podemos realizar la EVA, no solamente por la ciencia que queremos hacer sino por la oportunidad de salir a “respirar aire fresco”.

Con un rompecabezas terminado y las cartas de Table topics desaparecidas, empezamos la rutina. Vamos un poco más de la mitad de la rotación y el cansancio es evidente, los ánimos un poco bajos, sin embargo, todos estamos haciendo nuestro mejor esfuerzo para seguir aprovechando esta experiencia al máximo. Hoy quisiera abrazar a mi familia y a mis amigos, he leído sus mensajes y en este momento no pueden imaginar que tan importante es recibir estos, ese pequeño saludo renueva el espíritu y da fuerzas para continuar.

Con una EVA aprobada, comenzamos la travesía hacía las lunas. Con las condiciones climáticas en nuestra contra, sorteamos bien la situación, tenemos magnificas muestras. Nos maravillamos con paisajes de arcillas de colores, asemejando la vegetación de nuestras bellas montañas colombianas. El frío no nos detuvo, nuestros cuerpos estaban cansados, congelados, sin embargo, ninguno quería regresar aún, todos queríamos divisar esa inmensidad. Ya de regreso a casa, la que ahora llamamos casa, solo esperábamos tener la calidez de una “aguapanelita”. Solo han pasado 9 soles y ya queremos comer “arepa”, “mango biche”, “bom bom bum”, a pesar de que nos hemos deleitado con ricos platos colombianos como la frijolada de ayer y el “calentao” de esta mañana.

Esas cosas son importantes indudablemente, pero lo que hoy me hizo reflexionar fue el hecho de que Marte tiene un ambiente hostil para preservar la vida humana, ¿cómo tomaríamos las decisiones adecuadas para sobrevivir? ¿Si la vida de un amigo estuviera en riesgo, como actuaríamos? Hoy realmente estoy feliz porque nuestra EVA es parte de una simulación y regresamos todos a casa.