As the final countdown began, mixed feelings filled the crew on their last hours on Mars. Hypatia I is returning to Earth after spending 12 SOLs on Mars. Despite the fact that a Martian day lasts 39 minutes longer than an Earth day, time seemed to have flown by at the Mars Research Desert Station…

Today is a special day on Mars. The Crew Commander of Hypatia I, Mariona Badenas-Agustí, is celebrating her birthday. Curiously, she is the youngest member of the crew, although she is leading a female-led mission to the Mars Research Desert Station (MDRS). She is an inspiration for the next generation of space explorers, especially for…

The crew members of Hypatia I were relieved to enjoy a warmer day on Mars as the temperature climbed above 20 degrees Celsius, following some chilly days at the beginning of their mission.  On average, the temperature on Mars is -63ºC, but the difference between Martian day and night goes from 35ºC during the day…

The crew of Hypatia I woke up with a smile as they were thinking about the breathtaking experience of last night. They were lucky to see the Northern Lights from the Musk Observatory on Mars. They seemed like clouds on the horizon because it had rained the evening before, but they quickly realized that they…

The crew members of Hypatia I were feeling homesick on April 23rd. This is a special day in Catalonia, also known as Sant Jordi’s day. It is a celebration of literature and love, where people exchange roses and books with their loved ones. Although they missed the festive atmosphere and the traditions of their home…

Saturday’s sun came without warning. Hypatia I crew members woke up lazily and they slowly sat around the table to have a coffee and weekend homemade pancakes. It was a peaceful and relaxing start for the Martian day SOL 6. Some were eager to continue with their experiments, while others were looking forward to exploring…

Hypatia I is excited about the experiments all crew members are conducting. Collaboration and sharing ideas are essential for the success of their mission, especially in an isolated and confined environment, such as in the Mars Research Desert Station (MDRS). Last days crew members were working together and sharing their first findings, challenges and solutions…

The day began with no wind at the MDRS, but it was very cold outside with a temperature of only 0 Celsius degree (32ºF). The Hypatia crew members woke up warm and rested because they slept well last night. This is good news for the Crew Biologist, Carla Conejo, who is studying the impact of…

The Hypatia crew members are getting into the swing of things on Mars. They have a structured daily schedule, divided into 30-minute slots. It is crucial in maintaining productivity and morale in such a challenging environment. Today was the first day all astronauts were on time, which suggests that they are adapting well to the…

While food, sleep, and extravehicular activity (EVA) protocols are now becoming the new routine for the Hypatia I crew members, they are still adjusting to the new living conditions. This morning, some crew members took a quick shower, a privilege on Mars, where water is a scarce resource on the Red Planet. As the Hypatia…

The thrilling journey to reach Mars spans between six and nine months from Earth. The travel seems to be quite lengthy at first glance, but it pales in comparison to the Hypatia’s trip to the Mars Research Desert Station (MDRS), which required more than two years of dedicated effort to become a reality. Hypatia is…