Ever wondered what it would be like to live on Mars? Not in a movie. Not in a simulation video game. But for real—or as close to real as it gets on Earth? Well, you don’t have to go to space to get a taste. You just need to head to the Utah desert.
Yes, you read that right.
Hidden deep within the rust-coloured canyons of southern Utah, around 7 miles from the nearest town, sits a one-of-a-kind research station built to mimic life on Mars. It’s called the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), and it’s run by a nonprofit group called The Mars Society.
And no, it’s not a tourist gimmick. This is serious training for life on another planet.
Life on Mars… in Utah?
The terrain here is eerily similar to what we’ve seen from Mars rover photos—red dust, rocky valleys, and almost no signs of life. It’s the perfect stand-in for Mars. That’s why MDRS has become the go-to site for analogue missions—simulations of what astronauts will likely face one day on the Red Planet.
Recently, CNBC was invited to shadow one of the station’s rotating teams: Crew 315. For two full weeks, the 5-person crew lived just like Martian astronauts would.
Urban Koi, Crew 315’s health and safety officer, summed it up perfectly:
“MDRS is the best analog astronaut environment. The terrain is extremely similar to Mars and the science we do here mimics real Martian missions.”
Daily Routine on a Faux Mars
So what does a typical “Martian” day look like?
David Laude, the mission commander, explained the flow:
“We all gather around by 7 a.m. for breakfast. By 8 a.m., it’s time for our first planning meeting. Then it’s on to the real work.”
That real work often includes EVAs—or extravehicular activities. These are essentially “spacewalks,” where two or three crew members suit up in simulated spacesuits and venture into the desert to conduct experiments or collect samples. These walks may take place both in the morning and afternoon.
Sounds fun? It is—but it’s also intense. You’re sealed in a helmet, dealing with desert heat, all while staying true to mission protocol.
Michael Andrews, the team’s engineer, admitted that staying in sync is the toughest part:
“The most challenging thing is just getting into a rhythm. On Mars, performing these tasks is what keeps us alive.”
Why Simulate Mars in the First Place?
Think about this: We’re planning to send people 225 million kilometres away to live on a planet with no breathable air, no food, and freezing temperatures. There’s zero room for error.
That’s where analogue missions come in.
They help scientists, engineers, and astronauts figure out what works (and what doesn’t) before we launch for real. MDRS allows crews to test communication protocols, experiment routines, time management, resource use, and even team dynamics under isolation.
Every detail matters—from meal prep to waste disposal. You can’t just open the door and grab supplies.
The Bigger Picture: Humans on Mars by 2029?
If Elon Musk has his way, SpaceX could send humans to Mars by 2029. That’s just a few years from now. And while building rockets is one thing, training people for Martian survival is another beast altogether.
Places like MDRS offer a critical bridge between science fiction and space reality. It’s not glamorous—but it’s groundbreaking.
And it’s not just about getting there. It’s about living there.
What’s Next?
While you can’t just sign up for the next Mars-bound rocket (yet), you can follow the progress. MDRS runs regular missions with researchers, students, and analogue astronauts from around the world. Some even document their journeys on YouTube or social media.
Want to go a step further? The Mars Society occasionally opens applications for volunteers.
Who knows? Your next vacation could be… to Mars (well, almost).
