Redshift – Rehearsing for humanity's future on Mars
The article describes the author's experience preparing for and participating in a simulated Mars mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, operated by the nonprofit Mars Society. Despite initial setbacks and the relatively short, amateur-driven nature of the two-week simulation, the program aims to mimic life on Mars through structured routines, research tasks, and isolation exercises. The MDRS serves as a training ground for aspiring Martian colonists, blending scientific practice with enthusiast-driven passion for space exploration.
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May 2026 Issue [Letter from Utah] Redshift Rehearsing for humanity’s future on Mars by Elena Saavedra Buckley, All photographs of the Mars Desert Research Station from the series Mars on Earth (2015–present) by Cassandra Klos © Cassandra Klos [Letter from Utah] Redshift Rehearsing for humanity’s future on Mars by Elena Saavedra Buckley, Adjust Share To become a Martian colonist, I first had to fill out a Google Form. It asked me about my aviation know-how, medical training, and experience “working in extreme environments.” I sheepishly wrote “N/A” each time, adding a note that highlighted my cooking and social skills.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Harper's Magazine.
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