The Mars Society is calling all Arctic-aspiring scientists and analog astronauts to apply to be a part of the annual Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station field seasons in the summers of 2024 and 2025.
Flashline Station is located on Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic 900 miles from the North Pole in one of the most Mars-like environments on Earth. Since the early 2000’s, the facility’s Mars mission simulations have been unmatched in value in terms of helping trained professionals prepare to explore the Red Planet.
The planned crews will spend the majority of their visit operating the station as a Mars analog mission during which they will conduct a program of sustained geological and microbiological exploration while operating under Mars mission constraints.
Mars Society management is looking for a team of 6-8 dedicated people to take on this challenge. Volunteers will need to be physically fit and prepared to do hard work. Mission organizers are seeking applicants for both the 2024 and 2025 field seasons, which are being planned concurrently. The deadline for applying for the 2024 field mission is Friday, March 15 5:00 pm MT.
The cost of participating in a mission is considerable due to the expense of fuel and transportation to our remote location in northern Canada, and therefore the crew will need to help support it by arranging sponsorship. Crew members may apply as individuals or come forward as a team with $25,000 sponsorship expected per individual or $150,000 for a full team of 6-8 individuals. Sponsorships can include funding from academic, corporate, foundation, governmental, or media sources, as well as private donors.
Crew members are required to bring their own outdoor gear, while the Mars Society will provide all supplies, mission equipment, training, firearms (due to the occasional risk of polar bears), transportation to/from the Arctic and transportation and housing while on site at Flashline Station.
Individuals with outdoor experience, scientific backgrounds, skill with tools, or an ability to work as part of a team are especially encouraged to apply for the missions. Passion for achieving the goal of human Mars exploration is a must.
If you wish to be considered as an analog astronaut during one of the upcoming Flashline expeditions, please send your resume and a cover letter to arctic-mission@marssociety.org. Thank you and on to Mars!
