Euro-MARS Location

To be of value, the Euro-MARS needs to be located at a site that meets certain criteria, including:

• The site must represent a reasonable (or recognised) Mars analogue locations – that is, be largely devoid of vegetation, be relatively dry, have physical features that resemble the surface of Mars
• The site must present the opportunities to carry out a range of sciences including:
  • Biology and the search for extremophile life forms
  • Geology and comparative Earth / Mars geological studies
  • Chemistry (soil, water, etc.)
  • Sub-surface studies
• The site must be reasonably remote to give a sense of isolation as it might be felt on Mars and to discourage casual visitors
• The site must provide the opportunities for away-from-base EVAs and excursions.

For these reasons, the Mars Society has selected the Krafla region of Northern Iceland as a suitable location for the Euro-MARS.

Outstanding Analogue

Iceland has long been regarded as an extra-terrestiral analogue: in the 1960s, NASA astronauts preparing to go the Moon as a part of Project Apollo trained in Iceland; more recently, senior NASA scientists have used Iceland as a research base for planning robotic missions to Mars, and for decades, volcanologists and geologists have studied the geology of Iceland and campared it with many similar and unique features imaged on the surface of Mars.

The Krafla region is an ideal location for a Mars Analogue Research Station because it brings together all the requirements we need to conduct meaningful research in living and working on Mars - research that will contribute to the success of the first human missions to Mars. A rich, volcanic environment, Krafla echoes the magnificant desolation of the surface of Mars, while enabling our geologists and volcanologists to continue and extend the work of comparative geology between Earth and Mars. It also presents us with outstanding opportunities for conducting real-world, in-situ extremophile research of the kind that will invaluable on the surface of Mars. At the same time, the rugged environs provide us with an excellent testing ground for the types of equipment we fully anticipate will be taken to Mars. And as a region of outstanding natural beauty, Krafla has additional benefits, providing us with an environment that is as close to Mars as it is possible to achieve here on Earth, thus helping our crews feel as if they are really on Mars, increasing their emotional and psychological responses to the work they are doing - just as would be the case with real astronauts, thus allowing us to conduct important human factors research. Finally, Krafla presents us with one of the most breathtaking backdrops to our work, presenting Euro-MARS as a telegenic centre for research and study.