fmars.marssociety.orgFMARS – Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station – Analogue research base owned by The Mars Society an

d located on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada Home Our Mission The FMARS The Crew Science / Research Mission Support Home Our Mission The FMARS The Crew Science / Research Mission Support A unique Mars exploration analogue research facility Follow our mission as we develop the knowledge that will prove critical for human safety and productivity on the surface of Mars. About the Mission About the FMARS Meet the Crew A unique Mars exploration analogue research facility Follow our mission as we develop the knowledge that will prove critical for human safety and productivity on the surface of Mars. About the Mission About the FMARS Updates MEET THE CREW Our crews at FMARS are required to conduct a sustained program of geological, microbiological and climatological field exploration in a cold and dangerous remote environment while operating under many of the same constraints that a human crew would face on Mars. It is only under these conditions, where the crew is trying hard to get real scientific work done, while dealing with bulky equipment, cold, danger, discomfort, as well as isolation, that the real stresses of a human Mars mission can be encountered, and the methods for dealing with them mastered. It is only under these conditions that all sorts of problems that Mars explorers will face can be driven into the open so they can be dealt with. Only by doing these missions can we make ourselves ready to go to Mars. Nothing like this has ever been done before. Dr. Robert Zubrin President, The Mars Society Mission Updates FMARS-15 Commander Report 30-07-2023 In Commander Report Posted July 30, 2023 Author: Andrew Wheeler, Commander, FMARS-15 Weather: Low nimbostratus cloud early, no precipitation. Cleared later to altostratus and sparse lenticular clouds with sunny patches. Wind cold, strong easing moderately into the afternoon. Temperature low teens Celsius. In the Hab, temperatures ten degrees Celsius warmer than outside, volatiles and monitored gases to decimal point levels rather than off the scale, CO 2 levels at half of what they were earlier in the week, humidity at 75% (compared to the previous missions at 90% – 95%). With the Hab completely closed up now after a couple of days of forced circulation, internal moisture on portholes is minimal to non-existent. Two short EVA scheduled and approved for today were postponed. With departure imminent, it was determined that there would be insufficient time for incineration of rubbish and removal of ash, cleaning and packing of the Hab, documenting and packing of shelf-stable foods, disposal of perishables, removal of obsolete equipment and non-burnable rubbish, properly storing the fuel drums, cleaning, parking up and covering ATVS and stowing the windmill. Then there will be packing of personal gear. This activity progressed steadily during the day until mid-afternoon. We were advised that a flight off of Devon Island for some of us would now be Monday the 7th . This was unacceptable and that we would all have to leave immediately on the flight arriving at 6:30pm. Having spent just two hours packing, stowing everything, including all the identified items to be removed, into the Hab and covering the ATVs, we closed up the Hab and departed for Resolute Bay and arrived there at 9:15pm. Thus ended FMARS15 at Haughton Crater on Devon Island. Read More FMARS-15 EVA6 Report 29-07-2023 In EVA Report Posted July 29, 2023 EVA # 6 Author: Olivia Drayson Purpose of EVA: Collect water samples and algae sample. Start time: 18:05 End time: 19:50 Narrative: The EVA included Olivia and Terry with Andrew as bear guard. This EVA was a revisit to an algal mat found during EVA4. An ATV trail to the lake was taken and then just beyond the chain of 3 lakes was the algal mat. Water samples were taken for analysis as well as a small algal sample. Then water from the creek was sampled with glass tubes for microplastic analysis and some snow melt was also sampled on the return journey. Destination: Algal mat and creek Coordinates: 75º 26′ 22.2”N -89º 45′ 28.4”E Participants: Olivia Drayson (EVA1), Terry Trevino (EVA2), Andrew Wheeler (Bear Guard) Road(s) and routes: Preexisting ATV tracks to lake and tracks made during EVA4 Mode of travel: 3 ATVs, 2 450s (named Valkyrie and Pegasus) and 1 300 (named Sphinx) Read More FMARS-15 EVA5 Report 29-07-2023 In EVA Report Posted July 29, 2023 EVA # 5 Author: Andrew Wheeler Purpose of EVA: Collect samples from the rock outcrop. Start time: 13:45 End time: 15:45 Narrative: The EVA included Andrew and Andy with Caleb as bear guard. This EVA was a revisit to a site first identified in 2017. Using existing tracks, the traverse was direct to an overlook point for a view of the geological context and then back around to the outcrop itself. A soil sample was taken as well as lichen covered rocks. After collecting photographic records, the journey back retraced the traverse to the site. Photographic records of the deployed permafrost data loggers were also collected en route. The EVA lasted a total of 2 hours. Destination: Possible hydrothermal chimney. Coordinates: 75º 24′ 15.9”N -89º 49′ 52.5”E Participants: Andrew Wheeler (EVA1), Andy Greco (EVA2), Caleb Pool (Bear Guard) Road(s) and routes: Preexisting ATV tracks. Mode of travel: 3 ATVs, 2 450s (named Valkyrie and Pegasus) and 1 300 (named Sphinx) Read More FMARS-15 Crew Journalist Report 29-07-2023 In Journalist Report Posted July 29, 2023 Mars Society’s Mission Report – Sol 6: Martian Marvels and Winterizing Wonders By D. Terry Trevino Devon Island, Arctic – Greetings from our Martian outpost on the vast and unforgiving Devon Island! Sol 6 marked another eventful day for Crew 15 as we delved deeper into our mission, leaving no Martian stone unturned. The winds kicked up with gusto, and we felt a chill in the air as temperatures crept downward, signaling that winter is fast approaching here in the Arctic. EVA Report: Today’s EVAs were nothing short of spectacular, filled with the spirit of exploration and excitement of exploring a distant world. Commander Andrew and Andy, accompanied by our trusted bear guard Caleb, embarked on EVA 5 in the morning. Their destination was an ancient site identified in 2017, a Martian geological beauty that continues to mesmerize us. Armed with wit and humor, the trio collected soil samples and even discovered rocks adorned with lichen. Rock stars, indeed! Photos of our findings immortalized the adventure, and like responsible Martian visitors, we left no trace of our passage behind. Of course, we couldn’t forget our beloved permafrost data loggers; even on Mars, data reigns supreme! This thrilling escapade lasted two hours, but the memories will last forever. Later in the day, the dynamic duo, Science Mission Lead Olivia, and I teamed up with Commander Andrew as our vigilant bear guard for EVA 6. Our destination? The elusive algal mat that caught our attention during a previous EVA. Vroom vroom, our trusty ATVs Valkyrie, Pegasus, and Centaur whisked us along the chain of three lakes to our prize – the mesmerizing algal mat. We deftly collected water samples for analysis and even procured a small algal sample. Mars may be distant, but it’s teaching us to be eco-conscious even on alien worlds! On our journey home, we seized the chance to gather creek water with glass tubes for microplastic analysis, because who doesn’t want to find Martian microplastics? And hey, it’s not every day you enjoy a Martian snow cone, so we scooped some snow melt for the ultimate icy treat! Just kidding! We will continue the hunt for red nano-plastics. EVA 6 was a true water wonderland expedition, and our Martian adventures are becoming legendary. Back at the habitat, we revealed in the fresh air as all air quality measurements were nominal and splendid. Commander Andrew was the creative thinker who floated the idea of testing the results by closing the station for 10 hours. The numbers began to elevate, signaling a need to open the...