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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Read moreHans 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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Read moreThe Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), in the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMembers of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission enjoy a meal in the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. Cards with the names of previous crew members adorn the doors and walls. #
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Read moreMatt Cross, an engineer with Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission, works on a rover inside the MDRS, on March 3, 2013. #
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Read moreMelissa Battler, a geologist and commander of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission, works on her simulated spacesuit inside the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreThe Musk Observatory, seen from inside the working and living quarters of the MDRS, outside Hanksville, in the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMatt 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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Read moreVolker 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. #
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Read moreMatt Cross (left), and Hans van 't Woud, venture out in their simulated spacesuits to collect geologic samples to be studied at the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMelissa Battler emerges from the Mars Desert Research Station into the Utah desert, on March 3, 2013. #
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Read moreMembers of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission venture into the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreVolker Maiwald walks among the rock formations during a simulated Mars walk in the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreCsilla Orgel, a geologist of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission, collects rock samples to be studied at the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMembers of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission, in their simulated spacesuits near the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMelissa Battler collects geologic samples in the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreCsilla Orgel collects a geologic samples for study in the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMelissa Battler (left) and Csilla Orgel climb a rock formation in the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMembers of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission return to the MDRS after collecting geologic samples, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMembers of Crew 125 EuroMoonMars B mission re-enter the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMelissa Battler studies collected geologic samples inside the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreHans van 't Woud checks on plants grown in the greenhouse inside the MDRS, on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreMatt Cross works at his computer inside the MDRS, on March 3, 2013. #
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Read moreA vintage map of Mars hangs on the wall at of the MDRS, photographed on March 2, 2013. #
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Read moreA view of the night sky above the Mars Desert Research Station, in the Utah desert, on March 2, 2013. #
Reuters/Jim Urquhart
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