The First Martian Holiday: Sol Day
By Centella Rizzo, NASA
Published May 28, 2026
Whereas, Operation Polaris has managed to launch and safely colonize Mars as of November 28, 2025. Today, I had the chance to virtually interview with one of our very own crew: Dr. Lacie Rodrigo, a Stanford graduate and Polaris team lead.
The term “Sol” is defined as “solar day”, which is the time it takes for Mars to complete one full rotation around its pole. The word "sol" is derived from the Latin word for "sun" and was adopted by NASA during the Viking missions in the 1970s to avoid confusion with Earth time. Before that, on November 28, 1964, NASA successfully launched the first flyby of Mars and provided one of the first ever close-ups of the planet (Danish Ansari, 2020). That marked the beginning of exploration and cultivation of future Mars civilizations. To honor the launch of the Mariner 4 Spacecraft, November 28 was officially deemed “National Mars Day” or “Red Planet Day.” by NASA.
Rizzo: “What were your thoughts during the process of being in that enclosed spacecraft? Were you scared?”
Dr. Rodrigo: “I was honestly really scared at first, despite the statistics of survival. I was scared that our team wouldn't successfully reach out of trajectory from Earth, or something may happen entering Mars’ Atmosphere. We simulated the Scenarios, we calculated the possibilities, yet one simple mistake can affect the whole mission. Our families were counting on us, the whole country watching above. But I stayed positive, even though I knew many citizens were against it, we had a job to do. And as we landed on Mars, the Polaris team bursted with excitement. We were the first humans to ever land on Mars! Let alone trying to colonize it!”
Rizzo: “Yeah, I get it! Millions of people watching, hoping you would succeed while also facing some backlash can be hard. Yet, when was the moment you realized that this was all worth it? Worth the trouble, The realization of 'Oh My Gosh, I’m on Mars!' [laughs]"
Dr. Rodrigo: “Honestly, when Operation Polaris was deemed a success, there was much more work ahead of us! It wasn’t until our first full Sol, the first 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35 seconds, that’s when it finally hit me. We watched the sun rise over a planet no human had ever called home. That was the moment I realized everything we risked was worth it.”
The First Sol, became more than just a measure of Martian time, it became a shared emotional landmark for the entire Polaris crew. Their first 24 hours on Mars symbolized the beginning of a new human culture, one shaped by resilience, cooperation, and the awe of witnessing a sunrise no civilization had ever seen before. This moment, described by Dr. Rodrigo, marked the transition from trying to survive and belonging on Mars. It gave the crew a sense of identity rooted not in fear or uncertainty, but in possibility.
Over the years, Operation Polaris has continued to thrive, populate, and create a genuine sense of community on Mars, representing a deeper meaning built on innovation, courage, and the lived experiences of the first humans to call Mars home. It honors the decades of dedication from and seen over the years by NASA’s very own Mars coordinated team: Launch Systems Engineers, Flight Directors, Navigation Specialists, Propulsion Technicians, Deep‑Space Communications Officer, Biotechnicians, etc.
Sol Day stands as a recognition, gratitude, and cultural identity. It is for those who contributed to the journey, as well as celebrating a massive accomplishment for survival beyond Earth.
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