D-Mars in the Negev
Photo: Reuters
Israeli scientists complete mock Mars mission in Negev desert
6 Israelis scientists conclude 4-day mock mission to Mars in Negev desert; setting mimicked planet's geology, aridity, appearance and desolation; 'D-Mars is half about research, half about outreach,' says one researcher.
A team of six Israeli researchers on Sunday ended a four-day Mars habitat experiment in Israel's Negev desert where they simulated living conditions on the Red Planet, Israel's Science and Technology Ministry said.
Participant Guy Ron, a nuclear physics professor from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said the project was not only intended to look for new approaches in designing a future mission to the Red Planet but also to increase public interest.
The experiment was held near the isolated township of Mitzpe Ramon, whose surroundings resemble the Martian environment in its geology, aridity, appearance and desolation, the ministry said.
The D-Mars project in the Negev (רויטרס)
The participants were investigating various fields relevant to a future Mars mission, including satellite communications, the psychological effects of isolation, radiation measurements and searching for life signs in soil.
Researchers in Mitzpe Ramon participated in a project simulating Mars (Photo: Reuters)
(Photo: Reuters)
The project was equal parts scientific inquiry and cultivating interest in Mars exploration, a researcher said (Photo: Reuters)
(Photo: Reuters)
"D-Mars is half about the research, and the other half is about the outreach. A major part of this project is getting public interest and getting students interested in space," he said.
The D-Mars project was being held in Israel for the first time in cooperation with the Israel Space Agency. It is one of a number of Mars simulation projects taking place worldwide.
