HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATIVE PROGRAM THAT TEACHES STEM BY SIMULATING MARTIAN ANALOG MISSIONS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AT D-MARS FACILITY, ISRAEL

Space analogs are becoming well-developed sectors of space science disciplines, used to train future human explorers, test related hardware and make space more accessible to the general public. D-MARS (Desert Mars Analog Ramon Station) is a space analog research center at the Makhtesh Ramon crater, Israel, in which analog astronauts go on a scientific journey of exploration that simulates an actual mission on the surface of the planet Mars. The arid environment of Makhtesh Ramon holds many similarities to the Martian environment and has therefore been chosen to facilitate the simulated missions. The environment in the habitat’s vicinity is used for simulated Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA), where simulated analog fieldwork is being conducted. Various international technologies in agriculture, data gathering, satellite communications, robotics, and more are used within and around the facility. D-MARS is being integrated as part of plans to establish an international GeoPark that will include Makhtesh Ramon and its vicinity.

Over the last three years, a handful of simulated Mars missions were conducted by high school students at D-MARS as part of the Young Israeli Astronaut Academy, an exciting project from the Davidson Institute of Science Education, the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science, sponsored by the Israel Space Agency. The project was aimed at inspiring high school students to take part in scientific research and in pursuing STEM education. Their mission statement for the 1.5-year program was to determine the habitability of an analog Martian environment. Hence, they were receiving training in geology, biology, physics, engineering, medicine, command & control, and used the obtained knowledge to experience in full simulated human Mars exploration missions.

The Young Israeli Astronaut Academy was part of a crucial phase-1 to establish the D-MARS first habitat. The facility is currently under a phase-2 development in which new state of the art research lab, clean room, pressure control system, and additional features are introduced, in order to facilitate future academic and educational international scientific exploration missions.