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Mars Society Canada's Fifth Training Expedition

Geology, Biology, Technology, Operations
and Human Factors Research at the
Mars Desert Research Station in Utah



Expedition Epsilon Crew Announced

January 18, 2008

The crew for Expedition Epsilon has been selected, and all candidates have been notified of their status. You can find out more about each the crew and the selected research proposals in the ExEpsilon Crew section.

Scientists Still Sought for Expeditions

November 28, 2007

Applications are still being sought for scientists for both the Delta and Epsilon expeditions, particularly geologists and biologists. Please email the ExMATS organizing committee to let them know that you are planning on applying. The committee can help potential applicants develop a research proposal. For any questions about Ex-Delta and Epsilon or the application process, please email the ExMATS organizing committee .

Engineering Crews Selected

October 30, 2007

The engineering crews have been selected for Expeditions Delta and Epsilon. Check out the crew biographies for ExDelta and ExEpsilon.

Application Deadline Extension #2

October 22, 2007

The application deadline for researcher has been further extended to November 24, 2007. We are no longer accepting engineering applications. However, engineering related research proposals will be accepted.

The successful engineering candidates will be announced by the end of the week. For any questions about Ex-Delta and Epsilon or the application process, please email the ExMATS organizing committee

Application Deadline Extension

July 29, 2007

The application deadline for researcher has been extended to September 24, 2007. We are no longer accepting engineering applications. However, engineering related research proposals will be accepted.

The successful engineering candidates will be announced by the end of August. For any questions about Ex-Delta and Epsilon or the application process, please email the ExMATS organizing committee .

Ex-Delta and Epsilon Application Deadline Extension

June 16, 2007

Due to popular demand, the application deadline has been extended to Saturday, July 14. If you have any questions about Ex-Delta and Epsilon or the application process, please don't hesitate to email the organizers at .

Ex-Delta and Epsilon Executive Officers Selected

June 16, 2007

Anna Grinberg and Cassandra Marion have been selected as Executive Officers of Expedition Delta and Epsilon. Congratulations, Anna and Cassandra!

To learn more about Anna and Cassandra, visit the crew biographies page.

Ex-Delta and Epsilon Commanders Selected

May 2, 2007

John Thaler and Randall Shelaga have been selected as Commanders of Expedition Delta and Epsilon. Congratulations, John and Randall!

To learn more about John and Randall, visit the crew biographies page.


Expeditions Delta and Epsilon - Call for Applicants

April 14, 2007

The Mars Society of Canada (MSC) is now accepting applications for ExDelta and ExEpsilon – two-week training and research missions to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah. The purpose of ExDelta and ExEpsilon is to certify new recruits for participation in future large-scale research expeditions, to expose researchers to the facilities and environment typically available in a Mars analog setting, and to cross-train participants in several areas including geology, biology, technology and operations as they pertain to human Mars exploration. The two-week expeditions will take place in February and March of 2008.

ExDelta and ExEpsilon will be the Mars Society of Canada's fourth and fifth training missions respectively, building on the success of MSC's three previous training missions ExAlpha (2004), ExBeta (2006), and ExGamma (2007) at MDRS that featured studies involving the local geology and biology, crewmember physiology, crew dynamics, field-testing of new fieldwork protocols, EVA traverse planning, and work-study task and procedure analysis.

The focus of these training missions is to prepare crewmembers for participation on future large-scale expeditions being planned for the Canadian arctic, Iceland, Australia and the Atacama Desert in Chile among other locations. Examples of previous large-scale MSC expeditions include ExOne and ExThree at MDRS, and ExTwo in Arkaroola, Australia. MSC also has significant representation on the 2007 FMARS 4 month summer expedition. Individuals who have not participated in either a training or a prior research-class expedition will not be eligible to take part in future full-scale expeditions led by the Mars Society of Canada. Further information about past MSC Training and Research missions can be found at http://www.expedition-mars.org

Applications are being sought for 12 crewmembers to make up two sets of the following 6 positions: Geologist, Biologist, Chief Engineer, Field Engineer, Extravehicular Activity Systems Engineer and an open-ended Researcher. Applicants for these six positions are also encouraged to apply for the position of Health and Safety Officer (HSO), responsible for overseeing crew safety and general wellbeing. For a more detailed description of each position, click HERE.


The Mars Society of Canada will pay travel and related expenses between Salt Lake City, Utah and MDRS during training and simulation, but there will be no salary or other travel reimbursement. Travel between the crewmember's home country and Salt Lake City must be self-funded or supported by external sponsors / institutions.

All applications must include:

Total length of applications must not exceed 4 pages. Please submit all applications to MSC. No hard copies of the application or research proposal are required (email applications only). Applications and research proposals are due July 14, 2007.

Click HERE for a list of Frequently Asked Questions and other background information concerning Expedition Gamma, the Mars Desert Research Station and the Mars Society of Canada’s Expedition Series.


Research Proposals:

Those wishing to apply for the Geologist, Biologist or the Open-ended Researcher position must include a research proposal with their application. Research proposals are not required for either of the Chief Engineer, Extravehicular Activity Engineer, or Field Engineer positions, although all three positions require very strong technical and troubleshooting skills (see requirements HERE.

Research proposals should be 2-4 pages (in addition to the above-mentioned 4 page application package maximum) and include the following:

Proposals must be written to publication quality and adhere to the AAS format. Once the expedition is complete, a comprehensive summary paper of the expedition science program will be published. Parts of your proposal submission will be used to create the summary paper, and you will receive co-author credit.

A multidisciplinary peer review panel will evaluate the scientific merit of each proposal. Only those proposals that meet our criteria will be selected.

Selection Criteria:

Send all applications and research proposals to MSC. Applications and research proposals are due July 14, 2007.


Click HERE for a list of Frequently Asked Questions and other background information concerning Expedition Gamma, the Mars Desert Research Station and the Mars Society of Canada’s Expedition Series.


For more information, please contact the MSC.


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