Enter the crater of Israel to simulate life on Mars

On October 10, under the Ramon crater in the southern Israeli desert, a six-person team of five men and one woman began simulating life for about a month on Mars.

The participating scientists demonstrated an experiment led by Austrian and Israeli agencies that simulated a mission to Mars. (Photo: Reuters).

The Mars simulation program AMADEE-20, led by the Austrian Space Forum in partnership with the Israel Space Agency and local group D-MARS, is to carry out a similar field mission to Mars in the Negev Desert, Israel.

Their Martian habitat is under a rocky outcrop. Inside they ate, slept, and conducted experiments. They wear prosthetic space suits fitted with cameras, microphones and self-contained breathing systems.

"Every mistake we make here on Earth, we hope not to repeat it on Mars," said Gernot Gromer, director of the Austrian Space Forum .

A scientist is about to participate in a life simulation for about a month on Mars. (Photo: Reuters).

The recent launch of Mars probes by several countries has attracted astronomy fans around the world. The arrival of the Perseverance probe and NASA's Ingenuity helicopter for the first time on Mars have brought new images of the planet's surface. But putting humans on Mars could be more than a decade away.

The AMADEE-20 program was scheduled to be implemented in 2020 but was postponed due to Covid-19. The team of scientists hopes to bring new insight to help prepare for a future Mars landing mission.

A scientist with a drone prepares to participate in the test. (Photo: Reuters).

Standing beside wide pattern of 120m ² , shaped like two large tents interconnected, Mr. Gromer said: 'habitats here, right now, is the research station like (on Mars) complex the most sophisticated, most modern on this planet'.

The six team members are continuously monitored via camera, their vital signs, internal movements are monitored for analysis. All this to better understand the human factor, Mr. Gromer said.

Six scientists, including 5 men and 1 woman, participated in simulations of life on Mars. (Photo: Reuters).

Outside, engineers and other professionals are also working with drones and drones to improve automatic mapping and navigation in a world without GPS.

They will carry out more than 20 experiments in the fields of geology, biology and medicine and hope to publish some results when completed.

 Scientists sit together at the facility during the demonstration of the experiment. (Photo: Reuters).

Alon Tenzer, 36, in a space suit that holds 50 kilograms of equipment, said: 'We were six people working in a tight space, under a lot of pressure to do a lot of tests. But I trust my crew can overcome those challenges."