A polar expedition to simulate another world
Mars 160 is a scientific program that aims to study the influence of the terrestrial environment on Martian mission simulations. The program includes two expeditions: the first in the Utah desert has already happened (Fall 2016), the second in the Arctic (expected for this Summer 2017).
However, during the preparations, the transportation cost to the Arctic has been underestimated. Today we have to take money on the scientific budget to allow this expedition to happen. But the main interest in going onto Mars is to conduct scientific investigations in the objective to make grand discoveries that will benefit the whole humankind. This implies that a Martian expedition simulation is worthwhile if scientific activities are performed.
Each crewmember, definitely international (I am myself the only European representative), has been invited to search for funds to pay partly or the whole cost for transportation from a major Canadian city to the Arctic. The goal is to lower the financial burden of transportation in favor to the budget allocated to the scientific and technological activities.
The funds will allow to pay my travel expense from Montreal to F-MARS basement. As I said above, it means to reequilibrate the budget on science by lowering the burden of crew transportation. The estimated part is around 60% of the total raised funds.
The cost of the rewards is estimated at 33%.
The rest goes to our common friend: Ulule.
Hey, just call me Alex!
Since my childhood, I want to go into space and explore new worlds… It is 25 years that I am pursuing this child dream, yes this is a long run chase! Never give up has become a second nature.
These last years I have been particularly interested to the Red planet. I have been a member of the MarsSociety and its French chapter for 10 years. I participated to my first Martian expedition simulation in 2012, at the MDRS, in the Utah desert. I participated to another one in 2014. Two weeks each.
Lastly, I volunteered for the Mars 160 program. The directory board granted me the rank of commander for both expeditions. It is a heavy responsibility that push you into an empirical experience of interpersonal relationship in quite particular conditions. In 3 months I have learned a lot and no doubt that during the 3 months in the Arctic I will learn even more.
At the end of this mission, I will have spent about 6 months in Martian expedition simulation in two different analogous to Mars environments. I begin to really touch the child dream now!
You understand it, this funding campaign is necessary to this expedition for preserving its scientific value. It is also for me the opportunity to share my adventures beyond my family and friends circles. Since real astronauts must be ambassadors, you, whom contribute, are going to help me to become as well an ambassador thanks to your questions, comments and critics.
I hope we will have a rewarding discussion for you as well for me. So do not hesitate!
So, in advance and from all my heart, THANK YOU and see you soon for an extraordinary journey!