Astronauts will be communicating their research and observations to scientists back on earth. Remote Science Teams (RST) are currently filling the role of the backroom scientists on earth in support of science teams at planetary analog sites worldwide. The main goal of our project is to discover the best approach to field operations, data collection, storage, collaboration and analysis from both the planetary field crews and the RSTs.

In the study of planetary field exploration, different methodologies will need to be studied, so that both field crews and remote scientists will be able to analyze and collaborate with different datasets. The Scouting Exploration Methodology Study (SEMS) is one such methodology. It will eventually extend to more specialized science goals tailored to respond to questions arising from discoveries on a situational basis. Our definition of planetary also includes asteroids, natural satellites, and extreme earth environments; however, the focus is on Mars surface exploration studies. The approach used is similar to landing on the surface of another planetary body (going from a global perspective to a local perspective to a outcrop perspective to a microscopic perspective).

Analog Mars Research and Research Stations