There are crews that can't wait to break sim at the end of their mission. Then there are crews that break sim in the middle of their mission because they can't stand it (or each other) any more. But every once in a while, there is the crew that wants to continue sim, even if just for a few more days, and has to be encouraged to take the traditional out-of-sim walk around the hab that indicates the end of simulation restrictions. Crew 47, it seems, would like to extend its stay on Mars.

While writing the end-of-mission summary earlier today, I realized how time does indeed fly when you are having fun. Less than two weeks ago we came to this amazing facility in the middle of the desert. We made it our home, put a lot of love into keeping it up and running, and worked hard on achieving our mission objectives. Each day that went by brought more science results, more items checked off our engineering to-do list, more unexpected challenges that were met, and more laughter and good times that we shared.

It will be hard to adjust to life on "Earth" again. But friends, families and (class)work requirements are calling us back. So we reluctantly wrapped up our research, compiled our final reports, and planned the activities for our last day at the hab. Packing, cleanup and handover to Crew 48 will be the next indicators that our mission is coming to an end, before we load up our gear and head back towards Salt Lake City on Sunday.

We are looking forward to rejoining civilization after our high-tech-tribal existence at the hab, but - as with all great adventures - it could have lasted just a little bit longer.

Signing off for today,

Jan Osburg
Commander, MDRS Crew 47