In December 2022, amid a two-week simulated Mars mission, the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in the Utah desert faced an unexpected challenge that could have jeopardized two years of meticulous scientific preparation. The habitat’s RV-style latrine, a crucial component of the analog astronauts’ isolated living conditions, became clogged, releasing an unpleasant stench that echoed the challenges of real-life space missions. The choice to resist the urge to call a plumber in the remote Utah desert showcased the commitment of the “analog astronauts” to the mission’s authenticity. In a remarkable twist, Barbara Braun, the mission’s health and safety officer, emerged as the unsung hero, using a small vial of eucalyptus essential oil to battle the sludge and ensure the proper drainage of the tank.
The Aerospace Corporation, a venerable nonprofit headquartered in El Segundo, CA, specializing in research and development for the military, NASA, and the commercial space industry, orchestrated this groundbreaking analog Mars mission—formally known as MDRS 269. Comprising six engineers and scientists, this mission marked the first all-Aerospace crew, aiming not only to grow the skill sets of its employees but also to test new technologies in a simulated Martian environment and immerse researchers in the challenges akin to those faced by end-users in space.
Kristine Ferrone, the mission commander and Aerospace’s associate systems director of Agile Space Acquisition and Implementation, emphasized the unique opportunity the mission provided for its participants to experience life as astronauts. For Braun, the principal director of the company’s Enterprise Systems Engineering Office, and others, the mission became a transformative experience, providing insights that could be transferred to the benefit of the company’s clients in the space industry.
The Mars Desert Research Station near Hanksville, Utah, where the Aerospace “astronauts” and Mission Control team operated, is among several analog Mars bases established by The Mars Society. These bases, including the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) in the Canadian Arctic’s Devon Island and the planned Mars Australia Research Station (MARS) in South Australia’s Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, serve as crucibles for troubleshooting the challenges associated with extended human stays on the moon and Mars.
Renewed aspirations for human exploration, such as NASA’s Artemis missions, have spurred immersive research in lunar and Mars-like environments worldwide. Facilities like Aquarius Reef Base in the Florida Keys, Hawai‘i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), Space Analog for the Moon and Mars (SAM) at the University of Arizona Biosphere 2, and Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston are actively contributing to this research.
The Aerospace mission aimed to guide its engineers and scientists through the entire arc of a space mission, from meticulous planning to on-site operations, fieldwork, and postmortem analysis—all within the framework of company objectives and customer needs. The dividends from this mission, which concluded in December, have been significant, ranging from enhanced technical capabilities to revamped approaches in experiment designs and systems engineering workflows, increased research funding, and even a patent submission.
A substantial portion of the mission concentrated on the operational challenges of transitioning both personnel and experiments from a sealed habitat to the harsh, “extraterrestrial” surroundings. Tasks included donning cumbersome mock spacesuits with limited dexterity, venturing out in ATVs to record radiation levels, gather rock samples, and field-test technologies.
Allison Taylor, the mission executive officer and a senior project leader in Aerospace’s Human Exploration and Space Flight Division, highlighted the logistical challenges of moving from a safe and comfortable lab environment to the field. Unexpected issues, such as broken spacesuits and equipment maintenance, added layers of complexity, underscoring the need for competent, self-sufficient crews capable of handling a range of challenges.
The crew members found themselves undertaking unexpected tasks like soldering connectors, replacing fuses and air filters, and troubleshooting failing spacesuit batteries. Braun emphasized the need for crews with diverse and unconventional skills beyond traditional spaceflight capabilities. Even seasoned simulation veterans like Ferrone, a former flight planner for the International Space Station, and Kowalski, who spent eight months in a sealed habitat as part of the Scientific International Research in Unique Terrestrial Station (SIRIUS-21) mission in Moscow, found the level of autonomy and responsibility surprising.
One of the mission’s notable successes was the improvement of an application named “Project Phantom,” integrating augmented and virtual reality into 3D models of an operational space. This technology allowed researchers to superimpose instructions over specific physical areas, providing guidance for conducting experiments. Trevor Jahn, the mission technology officer and an Aerospace Space Architecture engineering specialist, shared his experiences trying to create a 3D model of the surrounding landscape using a rover equipped with a 360-degree camera. When faced with unforeseen challenges in the unpredictable environment, Jahn improvised by using a drone to gather better images. The successful result led to additional funding, a patent application, and ongoing efforts to license and develop the technology for space and other applications.
In the field, the team investigated how various prototypes behaved in extreme conditions. They measured the degradation of mirror coatings, crucial for determining suitability in space, and recorded radiation measurements, contributing valuable data to a global database. Matthew Eby, the Mission GreenHab (greenhouse) officer and an engineering specialist in Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group, launched a low-cost weather balloon to gauge dust particles up to 90,000 feet. This experiment aimed to provide critical information for potential human outposts on Mars, allowing for rapid deployment in the event of a dust storm.
The mission also delved into psychological aspects of space missions, including communication challenges and coping mechanisms for disconnection from loved ones. The crew engaged in weekly virtual meetings and in-person training sessions for two years leading up to the mission, providing a unique set of interactions for individuals who had previously worked together but had not lived together.
A study focused on tracking crew communication with “Earth” to understand how they coped with isolation. Personal messages were routed through a cached texting system, delaying delivery by 10 minutes to simulate the communication lag that would be experienced on Mars. The crew exchanged over 3,500 texts, with 80% directed towards friends and family, serving as a crucial means to combat isolation.
However, even morale-boosting activities had unintended consequences. Braun’s baking endeavors resulted in a depleted salt stash, humorously referred to as “SaltGate.” The crew grappled with the reality that, unlike Earth, they couldn’t simply order supplies on Amazon for immediate delivery.
Despite the challenges and mishaps, the crew found themselves pondering the existential elements of their roles in laying the groundwork for future spacefarers. Eby reflected on the great adventure of space exploration, emphasizing the need to savor every moment. The crew’s sense of purpose was amplified during a virtual STEM Q&A with more than 1,100 K-12 students. The engagement of these young minds reaffirmed the significance of their mission, making even the toilet troubles on Mars Desert Research Station worthwhile.
In retrospect, the two weeks at MDRS proved to be more valuable than the previous six months in the laboratory. The stress testing of experiments and technologies in a real-world analog environment provided crucial insights, helping the Aerospace Corporation prepare for the challenges and questions that might emerge in future space missions. As Ashley Kowalski, Aerospace’s project leader for International Partnerships, pointed out, being at the forefront of cislunar operations requires not