General: Despite the fact that we were two days late in starting our simulation due to various power failures, the first week was very exciting as we completed the GreenHab improvements and began exploring this incredible environment. Being in simulation in the landscape is an amazing experience, and with our GPS course plotting, one truly gets a taste of what it would be like to navigate Martian terrain. My movement through the landscape in simulation mode has been incredibly inspiring, and I've taken over 700 photos that will surely serve as the source material for future projects. The geologic features here are fascinating and they beg a geologist be included on each crew rotation, if possible.

Week Two, however, was mired in yet more power failures and the loss of one ATV, effectively grounding the crew. These problems compromised our simulation, to say the least. Dealing with the power issues and the general poor state of the equipment and systems consumed far too much of our time, limiting the amount of science and exploration that could be accomplished. While establishing a balance between daily maintenance and the particular science goals of a mission is surely a skill that will be required on an actual mission, the degree to which we were devoted to maintenance and cleaning was beyond the call. Rather than performing triage as things break, one suggestion would be to have a regular preventative maintenance program, perhaps every six weeks during a given field season, in order to service the ATV's and generator, repair air packs and radios, etc. This would hopefully reduce the equipment problems experienced during a given crew's short, two-week stay. The bright side, however, is that I have learned more about various electrical and solar power systems in two weeks here at MDRS than perhaps in my entire life!

Simulation: While each crew understandably approaches the simulation differently, I would have preferred a somewhat more rigorous simulation. One idea would be to actually enclose the assumed "pressurized tunnels" to the GreenHab, Observatory and generator service area. Another would be to limit contact with the outside world, with regard to hosting visitors, taking trips to town, etc. Lastly, while having an "embedded journalist" as a crew member is surely an invaluable tool for advocacy and public awareness (and we thoroughly enjoyed our journalist, Steve Featherstone!), a journalist's goals are understandably somewhat different from those of the rest of the crew and this, in my opinion, has the potential to run counter to the goals of simulation and crew cohesion.

Minor Improvements: There are a few small improvements that would make life in the Hab more pleasant: a dust buster for the second level so that one did not have to lug the Shopvac up the stairs; a throw rug for in front of the kitchen sink; a slightly larger frig; more clean dish towels; and some type of air circulation in the staterooms, if possible.

Conclusion: I would like to thank the Mars Society for a truly enlightening and educational experience. All of the above minor complaints aside, it has been a truly rewarding experience. The MDRS is an invaluable means to activate ones imagination with regard to the first manned mission to Mars, and there is clearly nothing as effective as the actual lived experience of a crew rotation in full simulation.