SOL 4 : plot twists on Mars
Last night was very eventful. At 9 PM, we received a call from Mission Support, the manager of the base with whom we stay in radio contact in case of anomalies with the operations of the station. Our electricity consumption doubled around 6:30 PM, Gaspard and Lou figured out that the issue came from the water heater. Therefore, we had to go unplug it, but then we ran the risk that the water would freeze overnight, as the temperatures were going to get below freezing.
As on Mars, where the temperatures are very cold, the management of our resources is one of the main stakes in keeping our access to liquid water and the station habitable. In case we didn’t have any water for today, we filled as many containers as we could with water to keep inside the Hab. In the end, this morning, the water tank didn’t freeze, and we still have access to our water.
During the first sols, one crewmate who has recently been suffering from asthma-related issues had difficulties during the daily physical activity session, and the safety and health of the whole crew are our absolute priority. As a result, this morning, two crew members had to go with them to get a medical checkup from our orbital station, using our emergency space vehicle. After the medical tests, everyone is, in fact, in great health, and the whole crew was back at the Martian base before noon.
During the day, Célia, Lou and I performed an extravehicular activity to set up LOAC and Field Mill, the atmospheric instruments. Félix acted as CapCom. With the events of the previous day, we could not prepare for the EVA as we should have.
We went to a different location than the one that had been announced to Mission Support and we had to head back to the station. We still had enough time to install the instruments.
Julien and Félix completed their Orbital Architecture assessment in the GreenHab and the Science Dome, respectively. Every session occurs in a different part of the station, so that researchers can study the impact of our environment on our cognitive abilities.
Adèle organized a 45-minute Pilates session, during which we focused on the lower body and core. The goal was to do targeted muscular strengthening with slow movements, focusing on our breathing. Between exercises, we stretched to relax our muscles.
Félix began to plant cucumber and broccoli microgreen seeds in the GreenHab. They will sprout within one or two weeks, which will allow us to eat fresh produce.
Tomorrow, the weather predicts snow, making any EVA impossible.
