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The Mars Desert Research Station webpage normally would carry all reports from the MDRS habitat, but MDRS webmaster has elected to simply site to this site.
December 12, 2004
The crew of Expedition Alpha concluded a successful mission and have begun returning home today. The accomplishments of ExAlpha included:
Watch Space: The Imagination Station in the next few weeks to view video from Expedition Alpha.
November 28, 2004
The crew of Expedition Alpha has arrived safely at the Mars Desert Research Station, and the first crew journals are appearing online. Follow their activities and research on our pages for Crew Journals and Research Reports.
November 20, 2004
In just one week, Expedition Alpha launches Mars Society Canada's field research training program. ExAlpha will be the 30th Crew at the Mars Desert Research Station, and the first of the 4th Field Season at the Utah site. This two-week mission will run from November 27th to December 12th, 2004. The ExAlpha crew hopes to set a new standard for high science-return missions at MDRS.
See our Press Release
November 7, 2004
Dates for Expedition Alpha are November 27th to December 11th. Crew are arriving in Salt Lake City on Friday, November 26th, and departing from SLC on the evening of December 11th or the 12th.
October 5, 2004
Those selected for the crew of Expedition Alpha is listed here
August 31, 2004
Due to popular demand the deadline for crew applications has been extended to September 15th. However, note submissions for research proposals will no longer be accepted. The training Expedition will focus on a scouting and mapping campaign of the MDRS region, with research into the concretions in the area, and studies in traverse planning and physical expenditure during EVA work.
July 22, 2004
The Mars Expedition Research Council (MERC) has decided to begin training new recruits to its program to serve as research assistants and co-investigators for its series of Research Expeditions (Expedition One to Expedition Fifteen). The new Training Mission series begins with Expedition Alpha, which will be conducted at the Mars Desert Research Station at the beginning of the winter 2004 field season. Tentatively dates are November 28th to December 11th, however we are looking at additional or alternate weeks.
Expedition Alpha is hosted by the Mars Society of Canada, and will be recruiting Canadians primarily; however, if there is sufficient interest we may expand to an international recruits training program. Funding, however, will be available only for veteran MERC researchers and research assistants who will serve as instructors on Expedition Alpha for a weekend, a week, or the whole two weeks.
To prospective recruits, from Rocky Persaud, MERC Chair and Vice- President of Mars Society Canada: "If you are interested in joining the MERC corps, it is important that new recruits participate before the actual mission in the organization of this training mission, or you will NOT be invited on future expeditions. Spots on future expeditions will be awarded based on skills, attitude, personality, experience, team-work, performance, and research proposals. Your commander and fellow crewmembers will evaluate you."
The tentative schedule for the training program:
Applications will be considered from anyone in good physical condition at least 18 years of age without regard to race, creed, color, or gender. Scientific, engineering, practical mechanical, wilderness, and literary skills are all considered a plus. Volunteers will be cross-trained to serve as research assistants in studies of geology, biology, psychology, technology, and operations. Those selected will be required to participate in crew training exercises, to act under crew discipline and strict mission guidelines during the two-week Expedition. Every trainee must commit to the full two weeks.
All of those selected will also be required to sign a liability waiver. The Mars Society Canada will pay travel and related expenses from Salt Lake City, Utah to MDRS during training and simulation, but there will be no salary and no other travel reimbursement, except for our veteran trainers. Applications including resume detailing your educational background, experiences and acquired skills, character references, a short biography (100 to 250 words) for posting on the webpage should you be selected, and a digital photograph should be sent (in jpg or gif format) to .
Total length of applications should not exceed 3 pages. Applications are due August 30th, 2004.
A small research program will be conducted during this training Expedition. It is not necessary to submit a research proposal in order to take part in this Expedition.
Each research proposal will be assessed by our scientific committee and a general score will be attributed. Only the proposals that meet our criteria will be selected. In the future, once the Expedition is complete, a summary paper of the complete science program will be published. Parts of your proposal submission will be used to create the summary paper, and you will get co-author credit. Therefore, proposals should be written to publication quality. Proposals are due August 30th, 2004.
Format (2-4 pages)
Proposal should include:
Merit Review
The scientific merit of each proposal will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary peer review panel.
Criteria:
Send all applications and research proposals to . Applications and research proposals are due August 30th, 2004.
