Mars analog habitat

A Mars analog habitat is one of several historical, existing or proposed research stations designed to simulate the physical and psychological environment of a Martian exploration mission. These habitats are used to study the equipment and techniques that will be used to analyze the surface of Mars during a future manned mission, and the simulated isolation of the volunteer inhabitants allows scientists to study the medical and psychosocial effects of long-term space missions. They are often constructed in support of extensive Mars analogs (see List of Mars analogs). However, sometimes existing natural places are also valued as Mars analogs, such as a high Earth altitude where the pressure is equal to the pressure at the surface of Mars or a certain cave. Manned Mars habitats are featured in most human Mars missions; an alternative may be terraforming or telepresence.

The ISS has also been described as a predecessor to Mars expedition. In relation to a Mars habitat, it was noted that they are both essentially closed systems.

Mars analog habitats are established to prepare astronauts, engineers, and researchers for the future challenges of sending a manned mission to Mars. These analogs are inhabited by small teams of volunteers and may operate under “Mars-like” conditions for a few days to over a year. Habitats are often located in areas that closely resemble the environment of Mars, such as polar deserts. While living in the habitats, crew members are mostly isolated from the outside world, survive on a diet of freeze-dried food, and may conduct field experiments while wearing protective space suits. Meanwhile, researchers analyze the crew members’ medical and psychological conditions and study the social and teamwork dynamics of the crew.

The Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) was established in 2000 in the territory of Nunavut, Canada. This station is the first Mars analog created by the Mars Society, a space advocacy group established in August 1998. Since the beginning of field operations in April 2001, twelve separate crews (consisting of 6-7 personnel, each) have inhabited the station. While most missions lasted less than a single month, FMARS Crew 11 remained in the Martian simulation for 100 days.

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