THE GOALS
The station helps develop the capabilities needed on Mars to allow productive field research during the long months of a human sojourn. The facility will evolve through time to achieve increasing levels of realism and fidelity with the ultimate goal of supporting the actual training of Mars-bound astronauts.
To serve as a testbed for human Mars exploration
The station should support field operations studies in preparation for human missions to Mars. Specifically, it helps to develop and test key habitat design features, field exploration strategies, tools, technologies, and crew selection protocols, that will enable and help optimize the productive exploration of Mars by humans. To help achieve this goal, the station is a realistic and adaptable simulated Mars habitat.
To serve as a useful field research facility at a Mars analogue site
Located on Devon Island, a recognized Mars analogue site, the station provides a base of operations for research conducted in that location that helps further our understanding of the geology, biology, and environmental conditions on the Earth and on Mars. To help achieve this goal, the station has been designed to provide safe shelter in this hostile environment and has been equipped to function as an effective field laboratory.
To generate public support for sending humans to Mars
Operations at the station inform and inspire audiences around the world. As the Mars Society’s flagship project, FMARS serves as a foundational element in what will be a series of bold steps paving the way to eventual human exploration of Mars.