Mars Desert Research Station
Encyclopedia
The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is the second of four planned simulated Mars
surface exploration habitats (or Mars Analogue Research Stations) owned and operated by the Mars Society
.
of southern Utah
, located 11.63 kilometres (7.2 mi) by road north west of Hanksville, Utah
. It is the second such analogue research station to be built by the Mars Society
, following in the foot steps of the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station
or FMARS, which was deployed on the northern slope of Heighton Crater (at N 75° 25' 52.75" W 89° 49' 24.19") on Devon Island
in Canada's high Arctic
in the summer of 2000.
The third station, the European Mars Analog Research Station
or EuroMARS
was funded and built in the early 2002. It was shipped to the UK in the mid 2000's in preparation for deployment to the selected research site (approximately N65° 46' 7.18" W16° 45' 30.50") which is located next to the Krafla Rift Volcano, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north east of the village of Myvatn, Iceland.
The fourth station, the Australia Mars Analog Research Station
/ MARS Oz
is currently in the planning stages and it will be deployed to the selected research site (S 30° 18' 13.91" E 139° 26' 39.55") east of the Arkroola Sanctury, which itself is roughly 521 kilometres (323.7 mi) north of Adelaide, South Australia.
The Mars Society
launched the Mars Analog Research Station (MARS) Project in order to develop key knowledge needed to prepare for the human exploration of Mars. The project's goals are to develop field tactics based on environmental constraints (i.e., being required to work in spacesuits), to test habitat design features and tools, and to assess crew selection protocols. Although much warmer than Mars, the desert location was selected because of its Mars-like terrain and appearance.
From the moment they arrive at MDRS, crews enter a "living on Mars" simulation. Crew members must wear an analogue space suit simulator or a "sim suit" when completing tasks outside the Habitat (HAB) to simulate the protection they would need from the in reality very harsh Martian environment. Complete analogue space suit simulators include a helmet, jumpsuit, boots, gators, gloves, an air supply pack, Platypus water pack, and a radio. Hand held radios mounted on the suits' helmets (with externally mounted push to talk switches) are used to communicate with Habitat communication base (Hab-com) and with fellow analogue Mars surface explorers on the same EVA
. For safety reasons, there is always one crew member in the HAB to act as Hab-Com in case anything goes wrong on the extra-vehicular activity (EVA
). In the event that crew's vehicles break down or one of their members becomes injured in the field, being able to communicate with the HAB is crucial to protect the safety of the people partaking in the analogue Mars surface exploration simuation mission.
Destinations for EVA's
can be chosen from an established waypoint database and traveled to either on foot or by ATV
.
MDRS is owned and operated by The Mars Society
, which selects the crews and handles most of the administrative tasks. The Mars Society
is an international, non-profit organization, with chapters world wide, that is dedicated to convincing governments and the public of the benefits of Mars exploration. They accomplish this goal through various projects such as M.A.R.S., the Mars Analogue Pressurized Rover Competition, and the ARCHIMEDES Mars balloon mission.
Students interested in participating in the project receive a $500 travel stipend from the Spaceward Bound Program run out of NASA Ames Research Center
. The Spaceward Bound Program aims to train the next generation of space explorers by allowing students and teachers to participate in projects in extreme environments that can serve as simulations for the moon or Mars. By providing students and teachers the opportunity get involved in projects like MDRS, Spaceward Bound gives participants valuable first-hand scientific experience.
A Local Manager has been hired to take care of some of the maintenance and support services.
s, or organisms that are capable of living in extreme environments. Bacteria and algae isolated from the surrounding desert are common subjects of study. These microorganisms have been studied for their DNA, diversity and the environments they live in. For example, in a study for methanogen
s researchers studied soil and vapour samples from five different desert environments in Utah
, Idaho
and California
in the United States
, and in Canada
and Chile
. Of these, five soil samples and three vapour samples from the vicinity of the MDRS were found to have signs of viable methanogens.
A unique opportunity to combine geology and biology occurs when studying the endolith
s found in rocks around the Hab. These species of bacteria are capable of living inside rocks and obtaining the energy they need by photosynthesizing using the light that penetrates the rocks. These extreme organisms are a popular subject of research at MDRS for both geologists and biologists.
Other experiments include a study of the effect of EVA
s on the heart rates and blood pressures of crew members, a human factors study that examine the correlation between cognitive ability and mood and a study on how much a space suit inhibits dexterity in comparison to regular street clothes.
s, engineers and the occasional journalist
. Each crew member is usually assigned a role: Commander, Executive Officer (ExO), Health and Safety Officer (HSO), Crew Biologist, Crew Geologist or Chief Engineer.
The Crew Commander is ultimately responsible for the entire crew and operations. Their other responsibilities include maintaining a structured stream of information from the crew to Mission Support, establishing the agenda for each day (EVAs, maintenance, cooking, cleaning, etc.) and holding morning and evening meetings with all crew members. The Executive Officer's duty is to act as the second in command during the mission and to act as the Commander in the event that the Commander is incapacitated or unavailable. The Crew Geologist and the Crew Biologist work together to establish and accomplish the science goals of the mission. The Crew Geologist and Crew Biologist are in charge of developing the geology and biology goals for the mission, planning field EVAs and subsequent laboratory work to achieve those goals. Both the Crew Geologist and Crew Biologist work with the Remote Science Team (RST) during all stages of the mission. The Chief Engineer is responsible for maintaining all systems necessary for routine Hab operations. These include the power, water, ATV
and GreenHab systems.
, 99 crews have served rotations at MDRS over a period of ten years.
and a remotely located Engineering Support Equipment Area.
s, a shower and toilet, an EVA Preparation room for storage and maintenace of the simulated space suit
s and their associated equipment, and a combined science lab and engineering work area. The laboratory is shared between the Crew Geologist and the Crew Biologist and includes an autoclave
, analytical balance, microscope
, and a stock of chemicals and reagents for conducting biochemical tests. On the second floor are six very small private crew staterooms with bunks and a small reading desk, a common dining and entertainment area, a dedicated communications station and a galley or kitchen equipped with a gas stove, refrigerator, microwave, oven and a sink for meal preparations. Above the six crew staterooms is a Loft which contains the internal fresh water storage tank and equipment storage space. At the peak of the HAB's dome shaped roof is an access hatch to permit maintenance access to the satellite antenna and weather monitoring instruments.
Power is supplied by 12 rechargeable 24-volt batteries, located under the HAB which can provide electrical power for up to twelve hours. In addition to the batteries are two 5 kW electricity generators named respectively "Casper" and "Wendy". Power from the generators is channeled through a Xantrex inverter, which sends the power either to the battery banks to recharge them or via a panel with 19 circuit breakers, to the HAB electrical distribution system.
Water is supplied to the HAB via a potable water tank located 100 feet (30.5 m) away in the Engineering Support Equipement Area. The tank is a plastic storage container with a 450 U.S.gal capacity (8 days worth of water at 6 U.S.gal per person per day). Water must be manually carried or pumped via a hose from the potable water tank to the HAB's internal tank, which holds about 60 U.S.gal. The water is then gravity fed into a pressure pump that distributes the fresh water to the rest of the HAB, including a hot water heater. The water used to flush toilet is greywater
. This is waste water that has run down the sink and shower drains in the HAB and then through the greywater system out of the GreenHab. Water is rationed and monitored to minimize inefficiency and waste in the system.
The HAB is also equipped with an internet connection and several web cams so that the public can view the ongoing mission.
Grey water processing is essential to the efficiency of the HAB. Waste water flows from the sinks and shower drains into a straining tank, located outside of the GreenHab, where grease and other sediments are strained out. Then it flows into another tank until it can be pumped into the GreenHab. In the GreenHab, the water is pumped through a filtering barrel, where aerobic bacteria break down contaminants in the water. The water is then split into five different tanks where denitrification
occurs. During this process, nitrogen and other contaminants are removed using plants.
While in the GreenHab, it is important to always wear gloves, a face shield and a plastic lab bib due to the hazardous nature of the water being processed. It must be carefully monitored, meaning that the state of all the filtering barrel, collecting tanks and temperature must be checked three times a day.
The Northside is the greenhouse. It is also monitored to keep a humid, temperature controlled environment. The plants grown in the Greenhab are mostly carrots, radishes, tomatoes, and other veggies. Some missions have also set up hydroponic
gardens that grow plants without soil.
The GreenHab is one of two areas at MDRS where it is forbidden by the Safety Rules to wear and use sim suits, due the impossibility of adequate cleaning should they get contaminated by grey water.
To help maintain the integrity of the Mars surface simulation, on Crew 45 The Moon Society built the R. A. Heinlein Memorial Simulated Pressure Tunnel. This enables crews to move from the HAB to the GreenHab and back in a shirt-sleeves environment.
, donated by Celestron
. The telescope is capable of being operated remotely, and is accessible to amateur and professional astronomer
s via the internet
. The observatory's other sponsors include Le Sueur Manufacturing Inc., which provided the Astro-Pier on which the telescope is mounted; Software Bisque, which provided TheSky software; Vince Lanzetta of East Coast Observatories; Adirondack Video Astronomy; High Point Scientific; Technical Innovations; and the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Association.
The addition of the Musk Mars Desert Observatory provides research opportunities that were not available before, not only to the crew, but local teachers and students. It also encourages more public involvement as students and teachers are invited to interact with the crew and to use the observatory as a learning tool.
s. Co-located with the generators are the fuel storage tanks for the propane gas and diesel fuel. Underground conduits convey the electricity and propane gas to the HAB.
The Engineering Area is the second of two areas at MDRS where it is forbidden by the Safety Rules to wear and use sim suits when performing tasks related to ATV or Generator maintenance. This is due the near impossibility of getting out of the suit quickly should one accidentally spill fuel or oil on themselves and a fire occurs. All activities involving fuel and oil are performed "out of sim" for fire safety reasons.
and its outflow field. This area is a "No Drive - Foot Traffic Only Zone" as there is no record of where exactly the septic tank
is buried. East of the GreenHab is an omnidirectional
Jovian radio telescope
.
The MDRS is the site of the University Rover Challenge
, the first of which was held on June 2, 2007.
The Flag of Mars appears on a couple of the buildings, as does the Flag of the United States
. Brigham Young University logos and Mars Society logos are present in a few places.
Martian
As an adjective, the term martian is used to describe anything pertaining to the planet Mars.However, a Martian is more usually a hypothetical or fictional native inhabitant of the planet Mars. Historically, life on Mars has often been hypothesized, although there is currently no solid evidence of...
surface exploration habitats (or Mars Analogue Research Stations) owned and operated by the Mars Society
Mars Society
The Mars Society is an international space advocacy non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars. It was founded by Robert Zubrin and others in 1998 and attracted the support of notable science fiction writers and filmmakers, including Kim...
.
Background
The MDRS station is situated on the San Rafael SwellSan Rafael Swell
The San Rafael Swell is a large geologic feature located in south-central Utah, USA about 30 miles west of Green River, Utah. The San Rafael Swell, approximately by , consists of a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide...
of southern Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, located 11.63 kilometres (7.2 mi) by road north west of Hanksville, Utah
Hanksville, Utah
Hanksville is a small town in Wayne County, Utah, United States, at the junction of State Routes 24 and 95. The town is just south of the confluence of the Fremont River and Muddy Creek, which together form the Dirty Devil River, which then flows southeast to the Colorado River...
. It is the second such analogue research station to be built by the Mars Society
Mars Society
The Mars Society is an international space advocacy non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars. It was founded by Robert Zubrin and others in 1998 and attracted the support of notable science fiction writers and filmmakers, including Kim...
, following in the foot steps of the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station
Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station
The Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station is the first of two simulated Mars habitats established and maintained by the Mars Society.-Background:...
or FMARS, which was deployed on the northern slope of Heighton Crater (at N 75° 25' 52.75" W 89° 49' 24.19") on Devon Island
Devon Island
Devon Island , claimed to be the largest uninhabited island on Earth, is located in Baffin Bay, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is one of the larger members of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the second-largest of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, Canada's sixth largest island, and the 27th...
in Canada's high Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
in the summer of 2000.
The third station, the European Mars Analog Research Station
European Mars Analog Research Station
The European Mars Analogue Research Station is the third in the Mars Society's Analogue Research Stations.The unit is primarily funded by the United Kingdom, with the Euro-MARS science programme operated by a consortium of European Mars Society Chapters comprising the UK, France, The Netherlands,...
or EuroMARS
European Mars Analog Research Station
The European Mars Analogue Research Station is the third in the Mars Society's Analogue Research Stations.The unit is primarily funded by the United Kingdom, with the Euro-MARS science programme operated by a consortium of European Mars Society Chapters comprising the UK, France, The Netherlands,...
was funded and built in the early 2002. It was shipped to the UK in the mid 2000's in preparation for deployment to the selected research site (approximately N65° 46' 7.18" W16° 45' 30.50") which is located next to the Krafla Rift Volcano, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north east of the village of Myvatn, Iceland.
The fourth station, the Australia Mars Analog Research Station
Australia Mars Analog Research Station
The Australia Mars Analog Research Station is a project being planned by the Mars Society to conduct geological exploration under constraints similar to those found on Mars, to develop field tactics based on those explorations, to test habitat design features and tools, and to assess crew...
/ MARS Oz
Australia Mars Analog Research Station
The Australia Mars Analog Research Station is a project being planned by the Mars Society to conduct geological exploration under constraints similar to those found on Mars, to develop field tactics based on those explorations, to test habitat design features and tools, and to assess crew...
is currently in the planning stages and it will be deployed to the selected research site (S 30° 18' 13.91" E 139° 26' 39.55") east of the Arkroola Sanctury, which itself is roughly 521 kilometres (323.7 mi) north of Adelaide, South Australia.
The Mars Society
Mars Society
The Mars Society is an international space advocacy non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars. It was founded by Robert Zubrin and others in 1998 and attracted the support of notable science fiction writers and filmmakers, including Kim...
launched the Mars Analog Research Station (MARS) Project in order to develop key knowledge needed to prepare for the human exploration of Mars. The project's goals are to develop field tactics based on environmental constraints (i.e., being required to work in spacesuits), to test habitat design features and tools, and to assess crew selection protocols. Although much warmer than Mars, the desert location was selected because of its Mars-like terrain and appearance.
From the moment they arrive at MDRS, crews enter a "living on Mars" simulation. Crew members must wear an analogue space suit simulator or a "sim suit" when completing tasks outside the Habitat (HAB) to simulate the protection they would need from the in reality very harsh Martian environment. Complete analogue space suit simulators include a helmet, jumpsuit, boots, gators, gloves, an air supply pack, Platypus water pack, and a radio. Hand held radios mounted on the suits' helmets (with externally mounted push to talk switches) are used to communicate with Habitat communication base (Hab-com) and with fellow analogue Mars surface explorers on the same EVA
Extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
. For safety reasons, there is always one crew member in the HAB to act as Hab-Com in case anything goes wrong on the extra-vehicular activity (EVA
Extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
). In the event that crew's vehicles break down or one of their members becomes injured in the field, being able to communicate with the HAB is crucial to protect the safety of the people partaking in the analogue Mars surface exploration simuation mission.
Destinations for EVA's
Extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
can be chosen from an established waypoint database and traveled to either on foot or by ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
.
MDRS is owned and operated by The Mars Society
Mars Society
The Mars Society is an international space advocacy non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars. It was founded by Robert Zubrin and others in 1998 and attracted the support of notable science fiction writers and filmmakers, including Kim...
, which selects the crews and handles most of the administrative tasks. The Mars Society
Mars Society
The Mars Society is an international space advocacy non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars. It was founded by Robert Zubrin and others in 1998 and attracted the support of notable science fiction writers and filmmakers, including Kim...
is an international, non-profit organization, with chapters world wide, that is dedicated to convincing governments and the public of the benefits of Mars exploration. They accomplish this goal through various projects such as M.A.R.S., the Mars Analogue Pressurized Rover Competition, and the ARCHIMEDES Mars balloon mission.
Students interested in participating in the project receive a $500 travel stipend from the Spaceward Bound Program run out of NASA Ames Research Center
NASA Ames Research Center
The Ames Research Center , is one of the United States of America's National Aeronautics and Space Administration 10 major field centers.The centre is located in Moffett Field in California's Silicon Valley, near the high-tech companies, entrepreneurial ventures, universities, and other...
. The Spaceward Bound Program aims to train the next generation of space explorers by allowing students and teachers to participate in projects in extreme environments that can serve as simulations for the moon or Mars. By providing students and teachers the opportunity get involved in projects like MDRS, Spaceward Bound gives participants valuable first-hand scientific experience.
A Local Manager has been hired to take care of some of the maintenance and support services.
Research
Each crew establishes different scientific goals they hope to accomplish during their time at MDRS. The majority of the biological studies carried out involve extremophileExtremophile
An extremophile is an organism that thrives in physically or geochemically extreme conditions that are detrimental to most life on Earth. In contrast, organisms that live in more moderate environments may be termed mesophiles or neutrophiles...
s, or organisms that are capable of living in extreme environments. Bacteria and algae isolated from the surrounding desert are common subjects of study. These microorganisms have been studied for their DNA, diversity and the environments they live in. For example, in a study for methanogen
Methanogen
Methanogens are microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct in anoxic conditions. They are classified as archaea, a group quite distinct from bacteria...
s researchers studied soil and vapour samples from five different desert environments in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. Of these, five soil samples and three vapour samples from the vicinity of the MDRS were found to have signs of viable methanogens.
A unique opportunity to combine geology and biology occurs when studying the endolith
Endolith
An endolith is an organism that lives inside rock, coral, animal shells, or in the pores between mineral grains of a rock. Many are extremophiles, living in places previously thought inhospitable to life...
s found in rocks around the Hab. These species of bacteria are capable of living inside rocks and obtaining the energy they need by photosynthesizing using the light that penetrates the rocks. These extreme organisms are a popular subject of research at MDRS for both geologists and biologists.
Other experiments include a study of the effect of EVA
EVA
Eva or EVA may refer to:* Eva , a given name for women** Eva , a list of people with the name EvaIt may also refer to:-In business and economics:* Earned Value Analysis, a measurement of project progress...
s on the heart rates and blood pressures of crew members, a human factors study that examine the correlation between cognitive ability and mood and a study on how much a space suit inhibits dexterity in comparison to regular street clothes.
Crews
MDRS crews traditionally consist of six people, who volunteer for one of the two week shifts or crew rotations available during the northern hemisphere's winter months. The field season ends in the northern spring since the summer heat of the desert is not conducive to a pleasant simulation. Crews pay all of their own transportion expenses to get to and from the designated assembly place from where they are transported to and from MDRS. As Volunteers, the Crews are not paid for their participation in a crew rotation at the station, but do get valuable experience. The crews usually consist of a mix of astronomers, physicists, biologists, geologistGeologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
s, engineers and the occasional journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
. Each crew member is usually assigned a role: Commander, Executive Officer (ExO), Health and Safety Officer (HSO), Crew Biologist, Crew Geologist or Chief Engineer.
The Crew Commander is ultimately responsible for the entire crew and operations. Their other responsibilities include maintaining a structured stream of information from the crew to Mission Support, establishing the agenda for each day (EVAs, maintenance, cooking, cleaning, etc.) and holding morning and evening meetings with all crew members. The Executive Officer's duty is to act as the second in command during the mission and to act as the Commander in the event that the Commander is incapacitated or unavailable. The Crew Geologist and the Crew Biologist work together to establish and accomplish the science goals of the mission. The Crew Geologist and Crew Biologist are in charge of developing the geology and biology goals for the mission, planning field EVAs and subsequent laboratory work to achieve those goals. Both the Crew Geologist and Crew Biologist work with the Remote Science Team (RST) during all stages of the mission. The Chief Engineer is responsible for maintaining all systems necessary for routine Hab operations. These include the power, water, ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
and GreenHab systems.
, 99 crews have served rotations at MDRS over a period of ten years.
The Research Station
The research station consists of three buildings, the Habitat, the Greenhab, the Musk Mars Desert ObservatoryObservatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
and a remotely located Engineering Support Equipment Area.
Habitat
The analogue Mars Lander Habitat, commonly referred to as "The HAB", is a two story cylinder that measures about 10 metres (32.8 ft) in diameter and is a crew's combined home and place of work during a Mars surface exploration simulation. On the first floor there are two simulated airlockAirlock
An airlock is a device which permits the passage of people and objects between a pressure vessel and its surroundings while minimizing the change of pressure in the vessel and loss of air from it...
s, a shower and toilet, an EVA Preparation room for storage and maintenace of the simulated space suit
Space suit
A space suit is a garment worn to keep an astronaut alive in the harsh environment of outer space. Space suits are often worn inside spacecraft as a safety precaution in case of loss of cabin pressure, and are necessary for extra-vehicular activity , work done outside spacecraft...
s and their associated equipment, and a combined science lab and engineering work area. The laboratory is shared between the Crew Geologist and the Crew Biologist and includes an autoclave
Autoclave
An autoclave is an instrument used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam at 121 °C for around 15–20 minutes depending on the size of the load and the contents. It was invented by Charles Chamberland in 1879, although a precursor known as the...
, analytical balance, microscope
Microscope
A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
, and a stock of chemicals and reagents for conducting biochemical tests. On the second floor are six very small private crew staterooms with bunks and a small reading desk, a common dining and entertainment area, a dedicated communications station and a galley or kitchen equipped with a gas stove, refrigerator, microwave, oven and a sink for meal preparations. Above the six crew staterooms is a Loft which contains the internal fresh water storage tank and equipment storage space. At the peak of the HAB's dome shaped roof is an access hatch to permit maintenance access to the satellite antenna and weather monitoring instruments.
Power is supplied by 12 rechargeable 24-volt batteries, located under the HAB which can provide electrical power for up to twelve hours. In addition to the batteries are two 5 kW electricity generators named respectively "Casper" and "Wendy". Power from the generators is channeled through a Xantrex inverter, which sends the power either to the battery banks to recharge them or via a panel with 19 circuit breakers, to the HAB electrical distribution system.
Water is supplied to the HAB via a potable water tank located 100 feet (30.5 m) away in the Engineering Support Equipement Area. The tank is a plastic storage container with a 450 U.S.gal capacity (8 days worth of water at 6 U.S.gal per person per day). Water must be manually carried or pumped via a hose from the potable water tank to the HAB's internal tank, which holds about 60 U.S.gal. The water is then gravity fed into a pressure pump that distributes the fresh water to the rest of the HAB, including a hot water heater. The water used to flush toilet is greywater
Greywater
Greywater is wastewater generated from domestic activities such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing, which can be recycled on-site for uses such as landscape irrigation and constructed wetlands...
. This is waste water that has run down the sink and shower drains in the HAB and then through the greywater system out of the GreenHab. Water is rationed and monitored to minimize inefficiency and waste in the system.
The HAB is also equipped with an internet connection and several web cams so that the public can view the ongoing mission.
GreenHab
The GreenHab is a greenhouse used for growing plants and greywater processing. This cylindrical building lies on its side and measures about 5 metres (16.4 ft) in both diameter and in length. The GreenHab is split into two halves: the Southside, used for grey water processing, and the North side, the greenhouse.Grey water processing is essential to the efficiency of the HAB. Waste water flows from the sinks and shower drains into a straining tank, located outside of the GreenHab, where grease and other sediments are strained out. Then it flows into another tank until it can be pumped into the GreenHab. In the GreenHab, the water is pumped through a filtering barrel, where aerobic bacteria break down contaminants in the water. The water is then split into five different tanks where denitrification
Denitrification
Denitrification is a microbially facilitated process of nitrate reduction that may ultimately produce molecular nitrogen through a series of intermediate gaseous nitrogen oxide products....
occurs. During this process, nitrogen and other contaminants are removed using plants.
While in the GreenHab, it is important to always wear gloves, a face shield and a plastic lab bib due to the hazardous nature of the water being processed. It must be carefully monitored, meaning that the state of all the filtering barrel, collecting tanks and temperature must be checked three times a day.
The Northside is the greenhouse. It is also monitored to keep a humid, temperature controlled environment. The plants grown in the Greenhab are mostly carrots, radishes, tomatoes, and other veggies. Some missions have also set up hydroponic
Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, or coconut husk.Researchers discovered in the 18th...
gardens that grow plants without soil.
The GreenHab is one of two areas at MDRS where it is forbidden by the Safety Rules to wear and use sim suits, due the impossibility of adequate cleaning should they get contaminated by grey water.
To help maintain the integrity of the Mars surface simulation, on Crew 45 The Moon Society built the R. A. Heinlein Memorial Simulated Pressure Tunnel. This enables crews to move from the HAB to the GreenHab and back in a shirt-sleeves environment.
Musk Mars Desert Observatory
The Musk Mars Desert Observatory houses a 28 centimetres (11 in) Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopeSchmidt-Cassegrain telescope
The Schmidt–Cassegrain is a catadioptric telescope that combines a cassegrain reflector's optical path with a Schmidt corrector plate to make a compact astronomical instrument that uses simple spherical surfaces.-Invention and design:...
, donated by Celestron
Celestron
Celestron is a company that manufactures and imports telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, and accessories for their products.-Origins and History:...
. The telescope is capable of being operated remotely, and is accessible to amateur and professional astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
s via the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. The observatory's other sponsors include Le Sueur Manufacturing Inc., which provided the Astro-Pier on which the telescope is mounted; Software Bisque, which provided TheSky software; Vince Lanzetta of East Coast Observatories; Adirondack Video Astronomy; High Point Scientific; Technical Innovations; and the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Association.
The addition of the Musk Mars Desert Observatory provides research opportunities that were not available before, not only to the crew, but local teachers and students. It also encourages more public involvement as students and teachers are invited to interact with the crew and to use the observatory as a learning tool.
Engineering Area
Approximately 30 metres (98.4 ft) south of the HAB behind a 7 metres (23 ft) high berm is the Engineering Equipement Support Area. The Engineering support equipment was deliberately placed out of direct line of sight from the HAB during MDRS Crew 34 to contribute to the realism of the analogue simulation. The electrical generators, Casper and Wendy, are housed here in a wood shed and are filled daily with diesel fuel by the Chief Engineer. The high clay berm helps to shield the HAB from noise of the electrical generatorElectrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
s. Co-located with the generators are the fuel storage tanks for the propane gas and diesel fuel. Underground conduits convey the electricity and propane gas to the HAB.
The Engineering Area is the second of two areas at MDRS where it is forbidden by the Safety Rules to wear and use sim suits when performing tasks related to ATV or Generator maintenance. This is due the near impossibility of getting out of the suit quickly should one accidentally spill fuel or oil on themselves and a fire occurs. All activities involving fuel and oil are performed "out of sim" for fire safety reasons.
Other
North of the GreenHAB is the underground septic tankSeptic tank
A septic tank is a key component of the septic system, a small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations...
and its outflow field. This area is a "No Drive - Foot Traffic Only Zone" as there is no record of where exactly the septic tank
Septic tank
A septic tank is a key component of the septic system, a small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations...
is buried. East of the GreenHab is an omnidirectional
Omnidirectional
Omnidirectional refers to the notion of existing in every direction. Omnidirectional devices include:* Omnidirectional antenna, an antenna that radiates equally in all directions* VHF omnidirectional range, a type of radio navigation system for aircraft...
Jovian radio telescope
Radio telescope
A radio telescope is a form of directional radio antenna used in radio astronomy. The same types of antennas are also used in tracking and collecting data from satellites and space probes...
.
The MDRS is the site of the University Rover Challenge
University Rover Challenge
The University Rover Challenge is an annual international competition hosted by the Mars Society for University and College students to complete a given scenario using a rover the team has built.-Location:...
, the first of which was held on June 2, 2007.
The Flag of Mars appears on a couple of the buildings, as does the Flag of the United States
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
. Brigham Young University logos and Mars Society logos are present in a few places.
See also
- Flashline Mars Arctic Research StationFlashline Mars Arctic Research StationThe Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station is the first of two simulated Mars habitats established and maintained by the Mars Society.-Background:...
- BYU Mars RoverBYU Mars RoverThe BYU Mars Rover is a student designed, built and run project overlooked and funded primarily by the Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Physics departments at Brigham Young University...
- Colonization of MarsColonization of MarsThe colonization of Mars by humans is the focus of speculation and serious study because the surface conditions and availability of water on Mars make it arguably the most hospitable planet in the solar system other than Earth...
- Exploration of MarsExploration of MarsThe exploration of Mars has been an important part of the space exploration programs of the Soviet Union, the United States, Europe, and Japan. Dozens of robotic spacecraft, including orbiters, landers, and rovers, have been launched toward Mars since the 1960s...
- Flag of Mars
- Haughton-Mars ProjectHaughton-Mars ProjectThe Haughton–Mars Project is an international interdisciplinary field research project being carried out near the Haughton impact crater on Canada's northern Devon Island. human-centered computing studies are aimed at determining how human explorers might live and work on other planetary...
- Life on MarsLife on MarsScientists have long speculated about the possibility of life on Mars owing to the planet's proximity and similarity to Earth. Fictional Martians have been a recurring feature of popular entertainment of the 20th and 21st centuries, but it remains an open question whether life currently exists on...
- Manned mission to MarsManned mission to MarsA manned mission to Mars has been the subject of science fiction, engineering, and scientific proposals throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century...
- MARS-500MARS-500Mars-500 was an international multi-part isolation experiment simulating a manned flight to Mars. The experiment's facility was located at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow, Russia. A total of 640 experiment days were scheduled between 2007 and 2011,...
- Mars Desert Research Station
- Mars DirectMars DirectMars Direct is a proposal for a manned mission to Mars. Proponents of the scheme have claimed it to be both cost-effective and that it can be conducted with current technology. It was originally detailed in a research paper by NASA engineers Robert Zubrin and David Baker in 1990, and later expanded...
- Mars to StayMars to StayMars to Stay missions propose astronauts sent to Mars for the first time should stay there indefinitely, both to reduce cost and to ensure permanent settlement of Mars. Among many notable Mars to Stay advocates, former Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin has been particularly outspoken, suggesting in...
- Moon SocietyMoon SocietyThe Moon Society is a space advocacy organization, founded in 2000, and dedicated to promoting large-scale human exploration, research, and settlement of the Moon.The objectives of the Society are:...
- Space colonizationSpace colonizationSpace colonization is the concept of permanent human habitation outside of Earth. Although hypothetical at the present time, there are many proposals and speculations about the first space colony...
- Space scienceSpace scienceThe term space science may mean:* The study of issues specifically related to space travel and space exploration, including space medicine.* Science performed in outer space ....
- Timekeeping on MarsTimekeeping on MarsVarious schemes have been used or proposed to keep track of time and date on the planet Mars independently of Earth time and calendars.Mars has an axial tilt and a rotation period similar to those of Earth. Thus it experiences seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter much like Earth, and its...