BYU students will soon have the opportunity to live on Mars--a simulated version, at least.

Student researchers are working with the Mars Society developing and executing experiments to prepare astronauts for a future voyage to Mars.

"The Mars Society's goal is to establish human presence on Mars soon. When humans get to Mars, we want BYU to be recognized for what we did in getting people there," said Doug Archer, a junior majoring in physics and a study participant.

Students involved will live in a habitat environment similar to those that might be encountered by astronauts exploring the planet Mars.

The habitat is the diameter of a heavy lift rocket and will serve as a home for the students for one to two weeks, during the break between winter and spring semester.

"It looks like a big tuna fish can," Archer said.

Students will wear mock astronaut suits and helmets whenever they leave the habitat to simulate a Martian environment.

The habitat, surrounded by red rock, is located outside of Hanksville, Wayne County.

"You can't see any other civilization around the habitat, so you really feel like you're on Mars," Archer said.

Researchers from all around the world rotate into the habitat every two weeks, from late October until the end of March.

The habitat is occupied during this time because of the cold weather.

"Winter here is like the hottest day on Mars ever, but it's still a good comparison," said David Allred, professor of physics and astronomy.

Though southern Utah is a Mars-like region, the problems astronauts will meet on Mars are unknown.

"It's kind of like play-acting," Allred said. "They aren't in real space suits, but then again, they don't have Mars's gravity either."

Allred and Archer are looking for more students interested in joining their research group.

Students can choose to participate by living in the habitat or joining a mission control crew that communicates with the researchers inside the habitat via radio.

"We are looking for people with other skills. Anyone that thinks it is interesting, and sounds like the thing to do, should join," Allred said.

Those interested can attend a research group meeting Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. in the Eyring Science Center, Room C255.

"We want a research group of students at BYU that can create experiments that will be replicated here, in the habitat and on Mars," Archer said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 30 Jan 2003