The Space Coast Chapter of the Mars Society was founded by students from
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the fall of 2001. Jen Schuck
and Brian Finifter had worked together during the summer of 2001 as volunteers
at the Desert Research Station Habitation Module display at Kennedy Space
Center. During their time working at "the Hab", they discovered
that no organized chapter of the Mars Society existed in Florida-home
of America's space program. They discussed the idea of forming a chapter
as a student organization at Embry-Riddle. They discussed these ideas
with other Mars Society members and got a positive response.
Returning to school in the fall, Brian and Jen began the paperwork to get
a chapter established as a student organization at Embry-Riddle while
working with the Mars Society national headquarters to get formal recognition
of the Embry-Riddle chapter. In late October 2001, they received permission
to create a Florida chapter of the Mars Society based at Embry-Riddle.
In January 2002, the chapter was formally recognised by the Student Activities
Department at Embry-Riddle.
