MARS SOCIETY INC

Vision

We seek the permanent human settlement of Mars within the next decade. By utilizing the Mars Direct plan (or a similar one), a human mission could be accomplished cost effectively by taking a "living-off-the-land" approach. A large cargo mission could be sent prior to the first human crew, to establish a propellant factory to create fuel from the existing surface water ice and atmospheric resources of Mars. This approach is one that has been adopted by NASA and SpaceX as the primary method for beginning the human exploration and settlement of the red planet.

Programs & Initiatives

Society activities include Mars analog simulations Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert and Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station the Canadian Arctic, public outreach and educational programs such as the MarsVR virtual reality simulations, Marspedia online encyclopedia, the annual University Rover Challenge, political advocacy efforts, privately-funded research, chapter meetings and activities in the U.S. and around the world, and the annual International Mars Society Convention.