The distance from Earth to Mars is at leaste 33.9 million miles, depending on each planet’s position in its orbit around the sun. That’s a long trip, but right here in Southern Utah there’s a place that sure looks like Mars, and it’s home to researchers and students who are dedicated to learning more about the possibility of traveling to our nearest neighboring planet.
The Mars Desert Research Station, or MDRS, is located in Hanksville. Founded in 2001, the research station has briefly been home to more than 1,000 people over the last 19 years.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook Address: 2200 Cow Dung Road, Hanksville, UT, 84734
Scientists, engineers, and college students come from all over the world to participate in eight-month field seasons. Crews take part in two or three-week missions, where they simulate life on Mars.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
During their missions, crew members work, eat, and sleep inside the six structures of the MDRS campus. Every part of their day is conducted as if they were actually on the planet Mars. The structures are connected by an above-ground tunnel system.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
They grow enough food to sustain themselves in the GreenHab, a 12x24-foot space that’s climate controlled. Crew members care for the plants, and conduct research that might someday be used to grow food on Mars.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
During each simulated mission, each crew member has specific tasks and research to complete in fields ranging from biology to engineering.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
Two observatories on the campus house powerful telescopes, which allow crew members to explore the heavens while still on Earth.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
When they leave the habitat, crew members suit up in simulated space suits, just as they would on Mars.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
They conduct field research and hike the area around the campus, which as you can see, looks an awful lot like an other-worldly landscape.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
More than 200 crews have completed missions since the research station was built. The missions are rigorous, but also serve as a unique opportunity to further space exploration.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
One thing is for sure - there’s no other research facility quite like this in the world!
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
Unfortunately, the public can’t visit MDRS - it’s just for researchers and students. If you’re interested in seeing what goes on here, follow the station’s Facebook page, and read the logs of the current mission on its website.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
Learn more about the Mars Desert Research Station on its website, and see what’s happening there now on its Facebook page.
MDRS Mars Research Desert Station/Facebook
Address: 2200 Cow Dung Road, Hanksville, UT, 84734
There’s another place in Utah that might make you feel as though you’re on another planet. Check out this place that must be seen to be believed.
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