A team of six Israeli researchers today ended a four-day Mars habitat experiment in Israel’s Negev desert where they simulated living conditions on the Red Planet, Israel’s Science and Technology Ministry said.
The experiment was held near the isolated Israeli township of Mitzpe Ramon, whose surroundings resemble the Martian environment in its geology, aridity, appearance and desolation, according to the ministry.
Participants were investigating various fields relevant to a future Mars mission, including satellite communications, the psychological effects of isolation, radiation measurements and searching for life signs in soil.
Guy Ron, a nuclear physics professor from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said the project was not only intended to look for new approaches in designing a future mission to the Red Planet, but to increase public interest.
He said: ‘D-Mars is half about the research, and the other half is about the outreach. A major part of this project is getting public interest and getting students interested in space.’
The ‘D-Mars’ project was being held in Israel for the first time in cooperation with the Israel Space Agency. It is one of a number of Mars simulation projects taking place worldwide.
Researchers today ended a four-day Mars habitat experiment in Israel’s Negev desert where they simulated living conditions on the Red Planet, Israel’s Science and Technology Ministry said
The D-MARS project involved investigating various fields relevant to a future Mars mission, including satellite communications, the psychological effects of isolation, radiation measurements and searching for life signs in soil
Israeli analog astronauts walk past solar panels as they start their mission on the D-MARS Project in near an Israeli township
The experiment was held near the isolated Israeli township of Mitzpe Ramon, whose surroundings resemble the Martian environment
Israeli analog astronauts start their mission on the D-MARS Project in cooperation with the Israel Space Agency, which simulates life on Mars by performing several scientific experiments and staying in the D-MARS (Desert Mars Analog Ramon Station)
The ‘D-MARS’ project was being held in Israel for the first time in cooperation with the Israel Space Agency, and is one of a number of Mars simulation projects taking place worldwide
Guy Ron, a nuclear physics professor from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said the project was not only intended to look for new approaches in designing a future mission to the Red Planet, but to increase public interest
One of the Israeli researchers working on the mission waits as his equipment is adjusted by a woman dressed in a red jumpsuit
Two of the Israeli scientists clasp hands in the desert surroundings near to the Israeli township of Mitzpe Ramon
Israeli researchers in the project step out into the Israeli Negev desert was chosen for its similarities to Mars
There are several Mars simulation experiments or research projects taking place worldwide, but the one in the Negev Desert ended today
Scientists pictured dressed in their equipment in the Negev desert, which has similar properties to the Red Planet
Nearby Israeli township Mitzpe Ramon’s surroundings resemble the Martian environment in its geology, aridity, appearance and desolation, the ministry said
‘D-Mars is half about the research, and the other half is about the outreach’: One researcher explained that the experiment was about igniting interest in Mars
Israeli scientists participate in an experiment simulating a mission to Mars in conditions which are similar to that of the Red Planet