Ninth MDRS Field Season Has Begun!

The ninth annual Mars Desert Research Station field season opened November 14, 2009. The schedule for the season is as follows:

• Crew 83 (Nov. 14 - Nov. 27, 2009) - Carol Stoker, Commander
• Crew 84 (Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2009) - Judah Epstein, Commander
• Crew 85 (Dec. 12 - Dec. 25, 2009) - William Kramer, Commander
• Crew 86 (Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan. 1, 2010) - Mary Beth Wilhelm, Commander
• Crew 87 (Jan. 2 - Jan. 8, 2010) - Mary Beth Wilhelm, Commander
• Crew 88 (Jan. 9 - Jan. 22, 2010) - Dr. Stephen F. Wheeler, Ph. D, Commander
• Crew 89 (Jan. 23 - Feb. 5, 2010) - Brian Shiro, Commander
• Crew 90 (Feb. 6 - Feb. 19, 2010) - Nancy Vermeulen, Commander

Reports from this season's crews are above. Follow the links below to learn more about the habitat, the crews, their work, and their adventures as they pave the way to the human exploration of Mars! 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.

Also, check out the third annual University Rover Challenge, held at MDRS May 28-30, 2009!

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MDRS Daily Dispatches Check up on the latest information by visiting the Communications Shack. The scientists and engineers who make up the crews, are sending back daily updates detailing EVAs, biological and geological analysis, engineering reports and some great pictures, 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. Astronomers: Click Here for the latest version of the Musk Observatory Operations Manual.
Science Support Team The Science Support 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 SST 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.