Crew Photos – March 2nd
Journalist Report – March 2nd
SOL 14: A Drop of Freshness on the Planet of Sand
06:08 PM: Sunday was very regenerating for Crew 311. After a later wake-up than other days of the week, the crew tackled an intense physical training session prepared by Célyan. After completing numerous exercises, the crew moved on to a thorough cleaning of the station’s various modules. Starting the day in a clean environment is very pleasant, but doing so while feeling clean is even better. And yes, mid-mission weekend means a big hair wash! Erin, Somaya and I washed our hair for the first time in two weeks, a pleasant moment on this planet where water is so rare.
At lunch, Meddi introduced us to microgreens for the first time! They have a very pronounced flavor and are sure to brighten up our meals! After enjoying the delicious tortillas that Erin and I prepared for lunch, everyone turned the Upper Deck of the HAB into a cinema room. We watched the second installment of “Dune,” continuing from last Sunday when we watched the first one. The film fits perfectly with the mission’s atmosphere, as both Arrakis and Mars are dry, sandy planets—one in the universe of Dune, the other in ours.
Now it’s time for “the 311” to resume the evening routine, which involves answering questionnaires, making recordings, and performing cognitive tests. To maintain optimal efficiency, it is important to take breaks that allow us to break away from our scientific and rigorous routines. Tonight, everyone is refreshed and ready to start a new week of experiments in top form. Robin, Quentin, and Meddi are already planning their EVA for tomorrow morning.
GreenHab Report – March 2nd
Crew 311 GreenHab Report 02-03-2025
GreenHab Officer: MOUMOUNI Meddi
Environmental control (fan & heater): Yes
Average temperatures (last 24h): 79 F
Maximum temperature (last 24h): 94 F
Minimum temperature (last 24h): 71 F
Hours of supplemental light: 5hrs
Daily water usage for crops: 9 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 1L
Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 178 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 10 am & 6pm
Changes to crops: None
Narrative: Cleaned the GreenHab, watered the plants as usual, took the tank refill into account
Harvest: None
Support/supplies needed: None
Mid-Mission Research Report – March 2nd
[category science-report]
Crew 311 Mid-mission Science Report
MDRS, Sunday 03 March 2025
Name of person filing report: Somaya Bennani – bennani.somaya311
Crew 311 has been in the MDRS for two weeks now, conducting experiments while simulating life on Mars. We have done everything we could to make this simulation as accurate and relevant as possible. The current report aims to give the reader an understanding of what has been achieved and what is yet to come.
This report is organized as follows: overview of all the experiments conducted during our mission, as found in the Mission Plan sent on Sol 1, reminded here for clarity, and updated with the experiments’ current status.
Name: LOAC / MegaAres / Field mill / Cosmic watch / Weather station
Type: Atmospheric physics
Crew: Robin (Crew Engineer) & Quentin (Crew Astronomer)
Description:
LOAC / MegaAres: These experiments, conducted since 2019, originates from the French National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS). It involves EVA operations and includes two key instruments: LOAC, an optical aerosol counter that measures and classifies airborne particles by size, and Mega-Ares, a sensor that precisely measures the electric field and air conductivity.
Field mill / Cosmic watch / Weather station: The experiment involves several measurement instruments to analyze environmental and space weather conditions. The field mill is used to measure the local electric field, providing insights into atmospheric electrical activity. The cosmic watch consists of two particle detectors that quantify the number of cosmic particles reaching the Earth’s surface. The collected data is analyzed in correlation with solar eruptions and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) to study their impact on Earth’s environment. Additionally, a weather station records precise atmospheric parameters at the observation site, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of local weather conditions.
Related EVAs: #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Status:
All instruments have been deployed 400m away from the station on sol 3. The batteries have been charged and changed every two to three days and the data collected after each swap. All instruments are healthy and collecting good data.
Name: AMAIA
Type: Technology
Crew: Isolde (Crew Journalist)
Description: The AMAIA system is integrated with station sensors, including environmental sensors and monitoring devices, enabling seamless data exchange. This integration allows AMAIA to estimate stress levels and provide data-driven responses to astronaut queries. Its capabilities support astronauts in their daily tasks by assisting with environmental measurements, voice recognition, and emergency exercises, enhancing both efficiency and safety in the station.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: The computer LLM part of this experiment is working perfectly, we are currently using the AI assistant to translate report to English and also to have some recipes for our lyophilised food. The watch part doesn’t work properly, so we are still in discussion with the researchers at CNES and we try our best to debug it in order to find the problem.
Name: Orbital Architecture
Type: Human Factors
Crew: Somaya (Crew Scientist) & Celyan (HSO)
Description: The study aims to quantify stress levels in analog astronauts using chestbands, smartwatches, questionnaires, and position sensors. It investigates the impact of environmental factors such as privacy, temperature, and humidity on stress levels. As part of the Axiom 3 mission, this research has also been launched to the International Space Station for further analysis in a space environment. The cognitive tests are taken in different areas of the base (Science dome, Greenhab, Hab) every time with a frequency of twice per week for every crew member.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: The IPS (Internal Position System) have been deployed during the first 4 sols of the mission. Since this day we are collecting daily data from the IPS as well as from the polar band and the polar watch. In addition, we have installed the BIOS light bulbs in both the upper deck and the lower deck during the first week. Everything is going well.
Name: Humanise
Type: Robotics
Crew: Somaya (Crew Scientist)
Description: This research investigates human-machine interaction, stress, and performance by examining cognitive workload during teleoperation between analog astronauts and rovers. The study aims to improve human-robot collaboration for future Martian settlements. Various control methods are tested, including Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) using mental imagery, Virtual Reality (VR), and joystick control. The goal is to develop intuitive and user-friendly remote-control interfaces for operating rovers in Mars- or Moon-like environments.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: The first part of this experiment with gamepad is done. All astronauts have monitored the robot using a PS5 controller in the science dome to teleoperate a robot very fat away in the campus of TU Delft, in the Netherlands. The second part will be to do the same experiment but with a VR headset to control the rover.
Name: Time Percept
Type: Human Factors
Crew: Celyan (HSO)
Description: This experiment investigates the impact of living and working conditions in an analogue base on time perception. It includes daily cognitive tests to assess effects on analogue astronauts
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: Data is collected twice a day (morning and evening) thanks to an app installed in our computers. Everything is going well.
Name: Photogrammetry
Type: Human Factors & Exploration
Crew: Meddi (GreenHab officer) & Robin (Crew Engineer)
Description: Building on measurements from last year, this study involves nine EVAs coordinated with atmospheric physics EVAs. It focuses on testing 3D terrain maps for EVA preparation and exploration, assessing their benefits for checkpoint identification and location during extravehicular activities. The research also compares scenarios with and without prior familiarization with 3D maps to evaluate their impact on navigation and mission efficiency.
Related EVAs: #5, 6, 7
Status: The first sequence of the experiment took place during week 2 of our stay at the MDRS. We successfully mapped a small part of Candor Chasma using our drone. The crew then explored the canyon using 3D and 2D Maps to monitor the differences in performances. Next week we will discover another area of the martian desert.
Name: Neopouss
Type: Botany
Crew: Meddi (GreenHab officer)
Description: This study aims to assess the impact of microgreens on meal taste and enjoyment. A blind taste test is conducted to compare microgreens grown in soil, glucose tablets, and agar-agar. Additionally, the research evaluates how the presence of a greenhouse in a Martian base influences crew well-being, providing insights into the psychological and nutritional benefits of fresh food in isolated environments.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: The microgreens were planted early in the mission (Sol 3), they went through a 5 day phase of germination in the dark and in a humidified environment. We put them under the light during Sol 9 in the GreenHab and in the Science Dome. Everything went according to plan except for the absence of fresh soil in the GreenHab and the fact that the environment is very dry here in the Utah Desert.
Name: TraceLab
Type: Human Factors
Crew: Erin (Crew commander)
Description: This study uses self-administered questionnaires to explore individual and social adaptations to isolated and confined extreme environments. The goal is to examine the social, emotional, occupational, and physical impacts of these conditions, providing insights into human resilience and well-being in space-like settings.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: The crew is filling daily questionnaire about individual and social adaptations. As well, weekly questionnaires about team dynamics are filled out.
Name: Core Data
Type: Physiology
Crew: Robin (Crew Engineer)
Description: The Supaero MDRS Crews Initiative aims to collect physiological datasets for human factors research. In addition to physiological data, the study includes water monitoring and environmental measurements. The purpose is to ensure comprehensive data collection while minimizing redundancy, enhancing the reliability and applicability of the research.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: The crew is taking daily physiological data (Oxymetry, Systolic and diastolic blood, temperature) as well as other parameters using the Withings smart scale. The crew also fills daily sleep dairy every morning before the sport session. Everyone is wearing a Withings smartwatch to collect data all along the day.
Name: MoovToLearn
Type: Human Factors
Crew: Somaya (Crew Scientist)
Description: This study examines the impact of luminotherapy and relaxation technology on analog astronauts, focusing on factors such as sleep quality. It utilizes Psio glasses to explore their effects while relying solely on Core Data, without conducting cognitive assessments.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: Not started yet.
Name: TwinS2
Type: Human Factors
Crew: Isolde (Crew Journalist)
Description: The objective of this study is to test and improve the TwinS2 system by evaluating human performance through non-invasive methods. Voice messages recorded via a microphone provide data for researchers, allowing them to assess and refine their software.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: The crew takes daily recording where they share how they felt during the day, as well as a weekly recording of 4 hours every Thursday.
Name: AMI
Type: Technology
Crew: Somaya (Crew Scientist) & Isolde (Crew Journalist)
Description: This study conducts an in-situ test of an anomaly surveillance interface to enhance the simulation. It analyzes crew reactions to unplanned or randomized events that require minor interventions. In some cases, the study may involve up to two "emergency" EVAs near the station. The use of the Engineering Airlock has been requested to support the experiment.
Related EVAs: no EVA
Status: Not started yet.
Name: Exploration – Stratigraphy
Type: Geology
Crew: Quentin (Crew Astronomer) & Meddi (GreenHab Officer)
Description: This experiment, conducted by the Research Institute of Astrophysics and Planetology (IRAP), involves EVAs coordinated with photogrammetry EVAs. It focuses on testing stratigraphy through drone imagery, aiming to identify geological samples using these pictures. The study also seeks to train the drone to capture images of entire stratigraphic layers for improved geological analysis.
Related EVAs: #4 and #8
Status: During the two EVAs conducted last week, Crew members took notes of different strates in different areas around the base. They took different aerial pictures using drones as well as a professional camera. They also did different drawing of the geological area.
Name: SupaeroMoon
Type: Robotics
Crew: Somaya (Crew Scientist) & Robin (Crew Engineer)
Description: This project focuses on rovers and technologies designed for the lunar environment, with participation in the European Rover Challenge 2025. It involves testing remote control navigation, evaluating camera and mapping methodologies, and exploring the feasibility of simple autonomous navigation. Additionally, the study tests a robotic arm for probe retrieval and collaborates with high school students on Arduino-based experiments.
Related EVAs:
Status: We printed different parts of the robot using the 3D printer “Bambo Lab A1”. The assembly of the entire rover will be done in the next week.
Name: Public Outreach
Type: Social
Crew: Meddi (GreenHab Officer)
Description: This project aims to teach the scientific method through a hands-on experiment. It involves sprouting cress seeds in highly saline soil to simulate Martian conditions and assess plant growth viability. The experiment requires one EVA for execution.
Related EVAs: Coupled with the preparation of some future EVAs
Status: Microgreens and EVA Preparation, the weekly reports of microgreens activities are being sent to highschoolers from different schools. The students that work with us are very motivated to be in some way part of our MDRS mission. When it comes to EVA Preparation, students will discover what is at stake in EVA Preparation during week 3 and 4 of our stay at the MDRS.
Name: Astronomer’s observation project
Type: Astronomy
Crew: Quentin (Crew astronomer)
Description: Quentin’s observation project consists of two distinct works: during the first two weeks of the mission, he familiarized himself with the telescope of the Musk Observatory by doing several pictures and animations of the Sun with different parameters. By doing so, he managed to capture high-quality pictures and videos of sunspots and prominences and learned to process them using various softwares.
Status: For the two following weeks, he will use these newly acquired skills to conduct his main project: detecting, taking the coordinates and keeping track of sunspots. He fully developed the code to do so and will test it on his previous observations. The final goal of this work is to find a correlation between the behavior of sunspots and the dynamic of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), which pose a great threat for the future of manned space exploration.
Sol Summary – March 2nd
Crew 311 Sol Summary Report 02-03-2025
Sol: 14
Summary Title:
Author’s name: Erin Pougheon, Crew Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: Crew 311 started the day by sleeping a little bit later than usual, with a longer sport session in the morning! After that, we cleaned the station: Science Dome, GreenHab, Hab, … Everything is now very clean!
For lunch, we ate home-made tortillas with vegetables and beef in it, it was very delicious! We all gathered in front of a movie in the afternoon. After that, every crew member wrote their report and continued resting for the end of the day, without forgetting to fill out their daily questionnaires!
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we’ll be centered on the second week of the photogrammetry experiment, with the first EVA of the week. A team will try to go near sea of shells, with the drone, to take pictures and create maps for the other EVAs of the week. Meanwhile, in the Hab, every other experiment will continue to run!
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Sunny, Temperature 60 F / 70 F
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: None
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Request #09, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos.
Support Requested: None
Operations Report – March 2nd
SOL: 14
Name of person filing report: Robin GORIUS
Non-nominal systems: Robotic observatory, toilet alarm
Notes on non-nominal systems: Maintenance of the observatory planned for June
ROVERS
Spirit rover : not used
Opportunity rover: not used
Curiosity rover: not used
Perseverance rover: not used
General notes on rovers: None
Summary of Hab operations: Sport, experiments, cleaning
Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)
Time of measurements (collect data for the same time window): 6:11 pm
1) Per formula (see notes): 18.00gl
2) Smart Home Dashboard (see notes):17.11gl
Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 313gl
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on
Static tank heater (on or off) : on
Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): yes
Summary of internet: used from 7 pm to 9 pm for reports
Summary of suits and radios:
Suits :
1 -> 100%, not used
2 -> 100%, not used
3 -> 100% , not used
4 -> 100%, not used
6 -> 100%, not used
7 -> 100%,not used
8 -> 100%, not used
9 -> 100%, not used
10 -> 100%, not used
Radios : Nothing to report.
Summary of GreenHab operations: Plants were watered and harvested
WATER USE: 9 gallons
Heater (On or Off): On
Supplemental light (hours of operation): 5 to 10 pm
Harvest (name, weight in grams): None
Summary of ScienceDome operations: experiments, cleaning
Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off): On Heat
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done): None
Summary of any observatory issues: None
Summary of health and safety issues: None
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None
EVA Report – March 5th
EVA # 10
Author: Célyan FERRET (HSO)
Purpose of EVA: Atmospheric experiments battery change, recovery of LOAC
experiment then photogrammetry experiment at Sea of shells.
Start time: 9:00am
End time: 12:49am
Narrative: Successfully collected the resupply of potatoes in front of
the Hab, then drove to the atmospheric instruments at Marble Rituals to
change batteries and recover the LOAC Experiment. When finished, walked back
to the rovers to go to the Sea of Shells and start the photogrammetry
experiment. When finished, we headed back to the MDRS using the rovers.
Destination: Marble Rituals and Sea of shells
Coordinates : 518250 E, 4250750 N then 516500E, 425550N
Participants: Meddi Moumouni (greenHab officer) , Erin Pougheon (crew
commander), Célyan Ferret (HSO and EVA Leader)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map :Cow Dung Road 0110, Brahe Hwy 1572,
Copernicus Hwy 1575
Mode of travel: Driving to Marble Rituals walking to the experiments
site. Recovering the LOAC experiment at the base because of weather
forecast for Thursday and coming back to the rovers. Then driving to Sea
of Shells doing the photogrammetry experiment and coming back to the
station using the rovers.
Vehicles used: Perseverance and Opportunity
Perseverance : Beginning 100%, 307.4h / End 51%, 308.4h
Opportunity : Beginning 100%, 206.6h / End 31%, 207.7h
Sol Summary – March 5th
Crew 311 Sol Summary Report 05-03-2025
Sol: 17
Summary Title: “The potatoes are in the drop zone.”
Author’s name: Erin Pougheon, Crew Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: This morning, the EVA of the 2D team, searching for checkpoints at Sea of Shells, took place. It was successful and the team found all 10 checkpoints! Meanwhile in the Hab, the Crew Engineer built some shelves to better his room while the Crew Journalist was handling data for the EVOLSAN experiment, for which everyone had to do a special measurement today. The aim was to read a text while recording, as we did before the mission and we will do after the mission, in order to compare our voices.
In the afternoon, the Crew Commander took a huge break because she was tired due to the morning’s EVA. Other crew members worked hard on their different experiments, such as cognitive tests for the Orbital Architecture experiment or the code for the Astronomy project!
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow will be a stay-at-the-station day. Experiments will continue to take place such as outreach actions. In the afternoon, we’ll conduct the second session of brainstorming about how to improve the station’s architecture.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Cloudy, Temperature 35 F / 55 F
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: None
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report #10, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos.
Support Requested: None
Crew Photos – March 4th
Journalist Report – March 4th
SOL 16: Little by little, the bird makes its nest
10:05 AM: Robin and I are starting to lose hope. This morning again, we tried to solve one of AMAIA’s problems. We had a solution that seemed to resolve the last obstacle we were facing, but instead, our AI stopped working. We hope to get it up and running before the end of the mission so that we can test it with all the crew members, but we still have a long way to go.
Meanwhile, everyone is working calmly in the HAB. Erin is assessing our water consumption, Somaya is formatting our retrospectives, which is the list of everything we actually did during a day. It often happens that not everything goes as planned, an activity gets canceled, or it finishes earlier or later than the initially scheduled time. This allows Erin to create more adapted schedules for the upcoming days of the mission, and some researchers also ask to access our retrospectives to better understand our behaviors during certain periods of the day.
Behind me, I hear the boys of the crew remodeling the loft of the Upper Deck, a high space in our habitat accessible with a ladder but rather poorly arranged. Yesterday’s experience made us realize how much we could improve the station, sometimes with simple details like adding light sources. Célyan and Quentin have therefore installed a small lamp and placed mattresses and cushions in this small space that they frequent particularly. Robin is also slightly remodeling his room by making a shelf to store his personal belongings. The HAB is animated by enthusiastic discussions and the sound of the wind blowing around the MDRS, a creative breeze it seems.
03:52 PM: This morning, I went out of the HAB to do a cognitive test, and I took the opportunity to draw plans for other modules of the station: the GreenHab and the RAM. We will soon discuss possible improvements for these modules, but in the meantime, everyone is working on their experiments. In the early afternoon, Quentin, Célyan, Somaya, and I tried out siesta programs using a psio, a relaxation tool that we are testing. The idea is innovative: combining different kinds of meditations to relax more effectively, although the support could still be improved.
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