Sol Journal for October 5th

Space paparazzi 

This report was filed by Anastasiya Stepanova- Crew Journalist

Today was my first walk on the surface of Mars. We spent 15 minutes to put the space suit on and prepare all the gear. We can’t go outside without a decompression procedure, so we get into the airlock and the longest five minute countdown starts. I asked the habitat to put on some music, like when you are in elevator waiting for the right floor. Before it reacted to our request, Yusuke opened the bag and put on soundtrack on his tablet from the movie Martian. Music of seventies was surprisingly appropriate for a Martian airlock. Finally 5 minutes are over and we are outside.

Windy day, but all I can hear is my own breath and radio signals. Crew engineer Claude-Michel began his daily routine of station maintenance. Checked the level of water, propane, gas and petrol in ATV’s. Everything was good enough to last the next couple of days.

While Yusuke and Claude-Michel were looking for biological samples in the Martian terrain, my role was to be the space paparazzi. In one hand, video camera, in another photo camera and tripod. The sun shines bright and the helmet fetters the movement of my head. I hardly could see the picture on the camera screen, so had to film it with hopes for the better. Suddenly, it hit me, on Mars it will not be an easy job, even for the paparazzi. A Martian journalist would need to have special cameras, special ways of filming and a lot of endurance. The dust will ruin the camera, the limited visibility due to the helmet will not let you see the screen fully, only the sound of wind will be recorded and any human communication would need to be recorded separately by using the habitat radio station or the microphone in the helmet (if we have it). And this is only the tip of the iceberg. Whatever profession you will choose, on Mars it will meet with plenty of obstacles and for this, I love this planet. It always pushes you into one challenge after another. So fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride!