About Mars Research Station
 
 
 
- Mars Research Station Hanksville Utah -
 
If you are interested in the human exploration of Mars, you might want to visit the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) near Hanksville, Utah. This facility is a space analog that simulates the conditions and challenges of living and working on Mars. The MDRS is owned and operated by the Mars Society, a nonprofit organization that promotes the exploration and settlement of Mars.
 
The MDRS consists of a two-story habitat module, a greenhouse, a solar observatory, a robotic observatory, an engineering pod and a science building. The habitat module can accommodate up to seven crew members who conduct scientific research and perform simulated extravehicular activities (EVAs) in spacesuit simulators. The crew members follow a strict protocol that mimics a real Mars mission, such as communicating with a remote mission control, rationing water and food, and dealing with isolation and stress.
 
The MDRS has been operating since 2001 and has hosted over 200 crews from various countries and backgrounds. The MDRS aims to develop field tactics, test habitat design features and tools, and assess crew selection protocols for future Mars missions. The MDRS also provides valuable educational opportunities for students and the public to learn about Mars and space exploration.
 

The MDRS is located in a desert area that resembles the Martian terrain and geology. The site offers a variety of interesting features for exploration and research, such as canyons, hills, craters, dry riverbeds and fossils. The MDRS is surrounded by a stunning landscape that offers a glimpse of what it might be like to live on Mars.

 
If you want to learn more about the MDRS or apply to join a crew, you can visit their website at https://mdrs.marssociety.org/. You can also follow their activities on social media or watch live video feeds from the station. The MDRS is not open to visitors or tours, but you can view it from a distance from Cow Dung Road. The MDRS is an inspiring example of how humans can prepare for the ultimate adventure of exploring Mars.