This post, “Exploring Mars on Earth: My Arctic Adventure at Flashline Mars Research Station,” is the latest from guest blogger and analog astronaut Terry Trevino. You can find his last post, about analog astronauts, here. Terry holds a Master of Science in Space Studies, and co-founded Space4All, a technology incubator supporting endeavors in the aviation and aerospace science community.
Where our mission began
Devon Island is more like Mars then Earth in the frigid expanse of Canada’s Arctic, on the largest uninhabited island. Flashine Mars Arctic Research Station, nestled on the rim of a 23-million-year-old crater, stands as a symbol of human curiosity and ambition. Here is where our mission began. A mission that would test our limits and expand our horizons in ways we could not have imagined. A mission to explore Mars on Earth.
Preparation and anticipation
Two years before the mission, our team was already hard at work. We meticulously assessed the reseeach station’s habitability. It had been vacant for six years and its systems were considered inoperable. This was no small feat, but our engineers, Andy Greco and Caleb Pool, hailing from a Seattle-based aerospace company, proved more than capable. Within hours of arrival, they had the power generators humming, the water system flowing, and the critical infrastructure running.
Our team was small but mighty. Crew Commander Andrew Wheeler, an experienced geologist, took the lead. I, Terry Trevino, an aerospace scientist and cosmologist, served as the Executive Officer (XO). I was also involved in vital research on algae. The algae samples were crucial for a long-standing project to develop closed-loop life support systems for space missions.
Olivia Drayson, our Mission Science Lead, is a nuclear physics Ph.D. student at the University of California, Irvine. She was pivotal in researching algae in situ and was instrumental in another critical project–the study of nano-plastics. These tiny pollutants, threatening our oceans, may have found their way to the Arctic snowpack and nearby creek water.
Journey to isolation
Our entire team staged out of Yellowknife, Northern Territories, in Canada. It took us several days to reach Resolute Bay. Thanks to careful planning, much of our equipment, food, and heavy cargo had already been shipped ahead of our arrival. Once we landed in Resolute Bay, we faced the real challenge. To reach Devon Island, we had to rely on the robust Twin Otter aircraft, carrying over 1000kg of fuel, food, equipment, and our team of five.
The moment we touched down on Devon Island, we felt isolated. It was just the five of us, surrounded by an austere landscape that felt remarkably like Mars. On an island five times the size of Hawaii’s Big Island, we were alone, relying solely on ourselves
Our first six days were spent preparing the research station. We faced the remnants of six years of vacancy, including mold and mildew. Sorting through hundreds of kilograms of material, we salvaged what was valuable and made plans to remove outdated supplies on a future return flight.
The mission unfolds
Over the next 16 days, our team accomplished remarkable feats. We conducted psychological surveys and incorporated deep-breathing meditation into our daily routine to cope with the isolation. We explored Devon Island’s geologic formations, locating fossilized stromatolites1 and immersing ourselves in a simulated Martian environment.
Our return journey was just as adventurous, involving additional water sampling from icebergs and Resolute Bay. We had the privilege of interacting with the locals, learning about the Arctic, and gaining insight into the remarkable people who thrive in this harsh environment.
Lessons learned
Our mission took over 27 days from start to finish. We all agreed that we would go back in a heartbeat. The Arctic, pristine, pure, and full of life, left an indelible mark on us. It may be extreme, but it has its unique charm, a persistent vibe of life that endures against all odds.
We learned to lean on each other and worked tirelessly to meet our mission objectives. Our journey to the Arctic was not just about exploration; it was a testament to the power of collaboration, resilience, and the human spirit. We proved that a well-coordinated and robust team can accomplish mighty things, even in the harshest environments.
Conclusion
Our mission to the Arctic was more than a scientific endeavor; it was an adventure that tested our limits, expanded our horizons, and left us with a deep appreciation for our planet’s diverse and fragile ecosystems. As we continue exploring the cosmos, we must also remember the importance of preserving and understanding our home.
The Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station symbolizes our curiosity and determination, where we can simulate Mars on Earth and learn valuable lessons for future space exploration. We may have ventured to the Arctic searching for answers about Mars, but we found a profound connection to our planet and the remarkable people who call it home.
As we look to the stars, let us not forget the beauty and wonder of our blue planet, Earth, and the incredible adventures that await us right here on our home planet.
- a calcareous mound built up of layers of lime-secreting cyanobacteria and trapped sediment, found in Precambrian rocks as the earliest known fossils, and still being formed in lagoons in Australasia ↩︎