In the vast open spaces of southern Utah, Reuters photographer Jim Urquhart recently paid a visit to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). Built and operated by a space advocacy group called the Mars Society, the research facility is investigating the feasibility of human exploration of Mars, using the Utah desert's Mars-like terrain to simulate working conditions on the red planet. Since 2000, more than 100 small crews have served two-week rotations in the MDRS, conducting research in an on-site greenhouse, observatory, engineering area, and living space. Urquhart was able to accompany members of the Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission inside the MDRS facility, and on a simulated trip to collect Martian geological samples.
The Mars Desert Research Station
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Hans van 't Woud, a mapping researcher and the health and safety officer of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission, collects geologic samples to be studied at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) outside Hanksville in the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. The MDRS aims to investigate the feasibility of a human exploration of Mars and uses the Utah desert's Mars-like terrain to simulate working conditions on the red planet. Scientists, students and enthusiasts work together developing field tactics and studying the terrain. All outdoor exploration is done wearing spacesuits and carrying air supply packs and crews live together in a small communication base with limited amounts of electricity, food, oxygen and water. Everything needed to survive must be produced, fixed and replaced on site. #
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Matt Cross (left), rover engineer, Hans van 't Woud (center), mapping researcher and health and safety officer, and Melissa Battler, geologist and commander of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission, wait in an airlock in their simulated spacesuits before venturing out to collect geologic samples in the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. #
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Volker Maiwald (left), executive officer and habitat engineer, and Hans van 't Woud, of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission, wait in an airlock in their simulated spacesuits before venturing out to collect geologic samples, on March 3, 2013. #
Reuters/Jim Urquhart -
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