MARS DESERT RESEARCH STATION CREW ROTATION ONE: SURVEY FINDINGS AND LOGISTICAL OPERATIONS OF AN ANALOG MARS EXPLORATION AND HABITATION MISSION

The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) was occupied by its first full-simulation rotation from February 7-21, 2002. At this time, a full engineering, scientific, and public outreach mission was accomplished in spite of a continuing shakedown of the Hab and a mid-rotation crew composition/command change. The main scientific goals of this rotation included a comprehensive biology mission as well as an initial assessment of the geologic history of the terrain surrounding MDRS. ‘Alpha ’ successfully worked under engineering constraints imposed by simulated Martian conditions for the first time in MDRS history to provide both scientific and operational reports. Future Martian crews will likewise be subject to such logistical difficulties; therefore, the experiences of Alpha will be invaluable for future human missions