Journalist's Report

February 14, 2008

Anna Grinberg



Valentine’s day was filled with magic for the crew of ExDelta. When
we awoke, instead of looking outside to a Martian environment, it
looked like the Moon. The unique red sandy hills of southern Utah were
covered in snow. It felt like a mixture of Christmas and the feeling
of what it must be like to see snow for the first time, as it was quite
foreign to look at, but at the same time a comforting sight for us
Canadians. A regular topic of conversation on this mission, especially
with the visit of journalist Mary Roach, is what would make us
reluctant to go on a future Mars mission and what we would miss most.
Family ties immediately jumps to mind. But another more subtle
realization is the simple joys we have on Earth. Like waking up to a
bright blue sky, feeling the wind across our faces, and the crunch of
the snow under our feet.

Those simple joys of life on Earth were the focus of today. Shortly
before lunch we locked up the Hab and piled into John’s beloved truck.
We headed down to Capitol Reef and enjoyed our first day out-of-sim
with a hike through the beautiful Slot Canyon to Hickman's Bridge (a
natural arch) with only our hiking garb, cameras, and the odd pair of
mittens and hats (some of which were ‘lost’ along the way). Utah
offers scenery unlike anything we are used to in the Great White North.
It really looks like what Mars could be like. And to be able to walk
and climb the canyon without a suit, breathing the fresh air, was just
awesome.

And while this is only a two week mission to Mars and we are not
separated from our families and friends for an extensive period of
time, that definitely does not mean we haven’t been thinking of them.
Funny how common topics of conversation are our families at home. And
today, being Valentine’s Day, we put plans in motion that had been
brewing all week. Upon waking up, Mic said Happy Valentine’s Day to
every crew member, and even asked a few to be his Valentine. I think
we were all secretly hoping he’d ask us individually! Then the crew
set to work on a Valentine’s Day poem for those who we have to
celebrate it with remotely. Though the poem had been perfected
extensively over the past few days, hours of consideration were given
to choosing the best of 6 potential handwritten fonts to portray the
message. Then hearts were added, and other messages with the names of
people at home. Another half hour was spent arranging the webcams so
that all our intentions were properly captured and broadcast to Earth.


Mars is Red,
Earth is Blue,
Though we are out of the Hab,
We’re thinking of you!

And so I should say, Happy Valentine’s Day Mission Control, will you be
the Valentine of Crew 66?

On a nastaligic note, I am writing this Journalist Report while I’m on
the bus back to Salt Lake City, having just left my crew, completing my
(shortened) portion of Expedition Delta as Executive Officer. There is
a lump in my throat that I haven’t been able to shake yet today. I’ve
only known our crew of John, Perry, Mic, Nasim, Kerry, Arthur, and our
mum Cheryl, for 11 days now, but we’ve come together more than I’d
hoped as not only a team of competent, productive, and creative
scientists and engineers, but true friends who couldn’t enjoy each
other’s company more. Though we are away from our families, we are in
the company of friends, and I couldn’t hope for a better group to spend
time with at MDRS. Luckily it is only goodbye for now, and there are
hopefully more adventures in store for the future. Perhaps lobster
fishing in Prince Edward Island. Or having a beer at Cheers in Boston
while discussing NASA’s lunar mission architecture. Maybe getting a
personal tour of Canada’s biggest space company. Or a local to show us
the ropes at of Eastern Canada’s primier ski hill, Mt. Tremblant. Maybe
we’ll meet up at COSPAR in Montreal. Or like today, walking though
beautiful mountains with a certain geologist who can read the rocks.