Inside a Utah desert facility preparing humans for life on Mars

Nestled within the breathtaking canyons of the Utah desert, approximately seven miles from the nearest town, lies a unique research facility dedicated to equipping humans for potential life on Mars. The Mars Society, a nonprofit organization, oversees the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) and recently welcomed CNBC to observe one of its analog crews in action. Urban Koi, the health and safety officer for Crew 315, emphasized the facility's importance, stating, "MDRS is the best analog astronaut environment." He explained that the rugged terrain closely resembles that of Mars, and the research conducted here mirrors the protocols and scientific endeavors that would take place during an actual Mars mission. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and a prominent advocate for Mars exploration, has expressed ambitions to transport humans to the Red Planet as early as 2029. Within this context, Crew 315, consisting of five members, dedicated two weeks to living at the MDRS, replicating the conditions and routines they would encounter on Mars. David Laude, the crew commander, provided insight into a typical day at the station. "We all gather around by 7 a.m. for breakfast at a common table on the upper deck," he shared. "By 8:00, we convene for our first meeting to outline the day's activities. Typically, we conduct an extravehicular activity (EVA) with two or three crew members in the morning, and another in the afternoon." An EVA, in NASA terminology, involves spacewalks where astronauts leave their pressurized environment, necessitating the use of spacesuits to thrive in the harshness of space. Michael Andrews, the engineer for Crew 315, highlighted the challenges of these analog missions, noting, "The most difficult aspect is finding a rhythm. While the risks here are lower, the daily tasks we perform are crucial for survival on Mars." For a deeper look into their mission and daily life at the MDRS, be sure to check out the accompanying video.