Opportunities to participate as part of the Mars Desert Research Station Mission Support Team

As the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) begins its 15th year of analog studies in southern Utah, we look back with pride on the people who have supported the station in the past who have been and are now working on their dreams through their professional position in the space sector. There are plenty of opportunities to participate at MDRS other than as a crew member. If you would like to get involved in any capacity, or if any of the volunteer positions listed here interest you, please contact us. We would be delighted to have you join us. Remember, most of these volunteer opportunities rely on your virtual presence, so you can be part of the team no matter where you are in the world. Unless otherwise specified, please contact Shannon Rupert at srupert@marssociety.org for further information or how to volunteer.

Mission Support volunteers are truly the backbone of the crew experience. We support crew members from the application process through their rotation at MDRS and beyond.

We are currently looking for the following Mission Support personnel:

CAPCOMS:  The daily link between crews and Mission Support teams.  In recent years, CapCOMs have usually worked one evening per week, but this is flexible. CapCOMs can be located anywhere in the world and work during the field season only.  Varied time commitment, depending on your schedule.

ENGINEERING TEAM: Members work throughout the field season with Mission Support and may have served as crew members at either MDRS or FMARS, although this is not a requirement.  They are also central to refit/work party efforts.  

Engineering Team members should be available throughout the field season several evenings a week or can commit to work parties throughout the year.

REMOTE SCIENCE TEAM (RST):  Like the Engineering Team, members of the Remote Science Team may have served as scientists who have served as crew scientists at MDRS, FMARS and/or MARS-OZ. RST members work throughout the field season and evaluate crew research proposals on the off season.

ASTRONOMY TEAM: We are looking for people who would like to contribute to our astronomy research and education/outreach at the new and updated Musk Observatory.

GREENHAB TEAM – We have a new state of the art greenhouse this season.  We are looking for people who would like to contribute to this exciting venture.

PROJECT SCIENTISTS: We welcome scientists who would like to propose a short or long term project at MDRS.  Examples of projects include short-term projects that are conducted over the course of a single field season and long term projects conducted over several years.  Graduate projects encouraged.