171days since
Start of Field Season

"Building the Future on Mars"

12th Annual Field Season (December 2012 - May 2013)

Teams of hard working volunteers, working in full simulation mode in the barren canyonlands of Utah 
continue to explore the surrounding terrain, cataloging more waypoints, and analyzing the geology and 
biology of this fascinating and remarkably Mars-like region.


Crew Manifest
Rotation Dates Crew Commander
Crew 119 Dec 1 - 15 "Phoenix One" John Reynolds, CDR
Crew 120 Dec 15 - 29 "Campus Martius" John Reynolds, CDR
Crew 121 Dec 29 - Jan 12 Embry-Riddle Chelsea Iwig, CDR
Jason Kring, DIRECTOR
Crew 122 Jan 12 - 26 HI-SEAS Angelo Vermeulen, CDR
Jean Hunter, DIRECTOR
Crew 123 Jan 26 - Feb 9 TASMARS David Willson, CDR
Haritina Mogosanu, DIRECTOR
Crew 124 Feb 9 – Feb 23 EuroMoonMars A Diego Urbina, CDR
Bernard Foing, DIRECTOR
Crew 125 Feb 23 – Mar 9 EuroMoonMars B Melissa Battler, CDR 
Bernard Foing, DIRECTOR
Crew 126 Mar 9 - Mar 23 Team Peru Alejandro R. Diaz, CDR
Crew 127 Mar 23 – Apr 6 Marsupilami Corentin Liber, CDR
Crew 128A Apr 6 - 13 Lone Star Highlanders A Larry Benton, CDR
April Andreas, DIRECTOR
Crew 128B Apr 13 - 20 Lone Star Highlanders B Liz Mitchell, CDR
April Andreas, DIRECTOR
Crew 129 Apr 20 - May 4 Team Russia Nikolay Dzis-Voynarovskiy, CDR
Crew 130 May 4 - 18 Georgia Tech Christine Redmond, CDR


Mission Support Team
Check up on the latest information by visiting the Mission Support team page. They talk to the scientists and engineers who make up the crews, who will be sending back daily updates detailing EVAs, biological and geological analysis, and engineering reports, updated here as they are received.
About the MDRS Project
The Mars Desert Research Station is only one of four planned Mars Analog Research Stations, the second to go into operation. Read about the background, goals and objectives of this ambitious program.
The Musk Mars Desert Observatory
The Musk Observatory is equipped with a Celestron 14-inch CGE1400 telescope generously sponsored to the Mars Society by the Celestron Corporation. It is being used to support both the operations research program of the station itself, and to provide a means for greater direct public involvement in science and space exploration. 
Remote Science Team
The Remote Science Team (RST) is a group of scientists working together to advance the scientific research being done at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah. The RST encompasses three broadly defined scientific discplines - biology, geology and psychology/human factors - with team Members having expertise in these and other more specific disciplines.
Engineering Team
The Engineering Team help keep the behind-the-scenes systems working at MDRS. Through their work, the infrastructure is constantly maintained and upgraded to insure that the Hab remains not only a productive work space, but a safe one as well.
Meet the MDRS Team
Many people have worked and are now working hard to make the MDRS project a success; including the habitat design and construction teams, the mission support teams, and of course the crews themselves. Find out more about the people who make it work.
MDRS Mission Archives
Mission Archives for the previous field seasons of the Mars Desert Research Station. Read about past missions and their activities here.



Donate to MDRS today!
Please make a donation to the Mars Desert Research Station today! The Mars Society is a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and maintains the Mars Desert Research Station.  All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for supporting our work to inspire and prepare future Mars explorers.