Embedded Files
In 2002, I was selected by the Mars Society to spend two weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), a Mars-base analog simulation facility located in the most Mars-like area of the Utah desert. In addition to doing my own research on human integration issues, I also served as Executive Officer, Health/Safety Officer and Station Engineer. MDRS Crew 5 was the first crew to spend two weeks in full simulation mode.
Here are a few pictures of that amazing experience; many more are in my Google Photos album. Links to more information can be found at the bottom of this page.
Don't forget to check out my 2003 mission to the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station near the North Pole, and my new adventures at MDRS as commander of Crew 37 in 2005, and of Crew 47 in 2006.
Please contact me if you want full-resolution versions or if you plan to use any of these pictures.
The Mars Desert Research Station in southwestern Utah (38.406449N 110.791912W)
MDRS as seen from a nearby hill, with the main habitat ("Hab"), greenhouse (right) and the red-green-blue flag of the Mars Society
"Suiting up" took thirty minutes every time we went outside.
Our main transportation: All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
Andrea Fori, our geologist, taking rock samples close to a main ATV trail dubbed "Lowell Highway"
Scenic view from the Hab's main window on the upper floor
The crew of course participated in the international "Yuri's Night" celebrations on April 12, honoring Yuri Gagarin's first manned spaceflight over 40 years ago.
The upper level of the Hab with individual workstations (back) and the wardroom table (front)
The Hab's breadmaker provided us with a constant stream of delicious loaves.
Our last full day at the Hab was "Media Day", with four TV teams and about ten print reporters/photographers from the US and Europe attending.
More Information
Paper on the MDRS crew experience, presented at a 2003 spaceflight conference (PDF, 260 kB)
Paper on the cognitive research at MDRS, presented at a 2003 spaceflight conference (PDF, 330 kB)
Summary report, in German (PDF, 330 kB)
Crew 5 information, data, and dispatches on the MDRS 2002 website (at archive.org)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse