Bristol student prepares to be a Martian

Ever thought what it might be like to live on Mars? Three PhD students at Bristol University are going to find out when they undertake an experiment at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah this Saturday. 

What the team’s work will involve

While you’ll be lying in bed all day with a hangover, Ashley Dale, Michaela Musilova and Sue Ann Seah are going to experience what it’s like to live in Martian conditions – and it’s probably not going to be too comfortable. They’re going to face deeply challenging conditions and psychological pressures, whilst testing out new technology and wearing spacesuits fitted with new gloves which feed information to the fingers, giving more of a sense of texture and temperature. Pretty cool, huh?

Watch the team interviewed on this BBC News report:

Ashley, who’s doing a PhD in Aerospace, told the University: “I began organising this expedition in late 2011. The learning curve and ramp up in my responsibilities was steep, especially when doing an unrelated PhD, but I feel I’ve gained much from this already”.

“The coming weeks will be the culmination of over a year of effort. I have pulled together an elite team with an all-encompassing background. I am excited. This will be an intense and productive experience.”

The three Bristol students are also going to be working with a science documentary film director and – get this – a 2 ft tall humanoid robot. Their contribution will be vital in preparing for future space missions to Mars.

Follow the team’s progress here: 

https://www.facebook.com/UKMars