(Image credits: MDRS, NASA)

The Aerospace Corporation’s first all-Aerospace analog mission crew embarked on a two-week simulation at The Mars Society’s Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Hanksville, Utah. Last November, the six members journeyed into this remote location with a robust roster of experiments to conduct and a unifying sense of determination to improve their understanding of cislunar and planetary missions.

“Any time you can test something out in the field beyond the comfort zone of the laboratory, you can learn a lot,” said Alli Taylor, MDRS Crew 269 Executive Officer and Senior Project Leader in Aerospace’s Human Exploration and Spaceflight Division. “This opportunity has improved the technology readiness level of individual experiments and is an example of how Aerospace is building skills and strengthening human spaceflight expertise in an operationally relevant environment.”

At the conclusion of their experience in mid-December, the crew returned from the almost-Martian environment with new knowledge, including data from multiple extravehicular activities (EVAs), opportunities to improve in-house technology, and lessons learned for operating and living in space. Beyond the immediate scope of their mission, MDRS Crew 269’s successful simulation validated Aerospace’s ability in providing cutting-edge human space exploration support and paves the way for future opportunities.