In the middle of the Utah desert, a crew dressed up in full astronaut gear is out for a walk as part of their months-long isolation experiment to research life on Mars. But the isolation simulation is ruined by several tourists and flying drones trespassing. The Mars Desert Research Station MDRS is owned and operated by the Mars Society. It hosts eight-month seasons for professional scientists, engineers, and students to train and research in extreme isolation.
Simulation is a key part of space exploration. In simulations for Mars, habitats are usually constructed in remote locations where terrains match those of the Red Planet. Crew members sleep, eat and conduct experiments for long periods of time without ever leaving the compound. To go outside they must wear spacesuits sometimes fitted with cameras, microphones, and self-contained breathing systems.
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The Director of the Mars Desert Research Stations MDRS said that tourists and drones have become a real problem for Mars habitability research. For the past weeks, the station has been busy putting up “No Trespassing” signs, uploading “Not Open To The Public” disclosures on their sites, social media, and even on their Wikipedia page. “On the internet and in the nearby town of Hanksville, people are saying we are open to the public and that the station is accessible to everyone. I have spent more time chasing people off the property than welcoming them,” the MDRS Director Dr. Shannon Rupert said. Dr. Rupert added that while some tourists seem confused and disappointed others have crossed the line to the point of having to call the police.
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