Ten students enrolled in the Comparitive Planetology course took part in the MARS (Mars Analogue Research Station) expedition to Arkaroola in August 2004. While they were there they took part in a conference that discussed the possibility of humans visiting or living on Mars, interviewed scientists, went on fact finding missions to assess the suitability of field stations and areas of outback South Australia are similar to sites on Mars.

Read the report from the Australian Mars Expedition conference.

The geology of South Australia will determine if South Australia, and in particular the area around Arkaroola, is analagous to environments on Mars. If there is, or has been, water on Mars and life is present scientists would expect to find similar things to stromatolites.

Research Projects

The UTS students worked on the MarsSkins project in particular testing the type of gloves that might be used with such suits

Reports:

The students went on a guided tour of the Beverley Uranium Mine - similar resources may be available on Mars. They also went on a site visit to the Paralana Hot Springs.

Interviews:

James Waldie, Principal researcher on the MarsSkins project

Jonathan Clarke Coordiantor of the Mars Analogue Research Station in Australia

The students who took part in the MARS expedition were:

• Katie Allen - Katie's profile
• Michael Kalidis - Michael's profile
• Michael Stranger - Michael's profile
• Ben Johnson - Ben's profile
• Damien Bohler - Damien's profile
• Daniel Garnett - Daniel's profile
• Lachlan Cameron - Lachlan's profile
• Sally Hawthorne - Sally's profile
• Thai Truong - Thai's profile
• John Parisis - John's profile