Inspiring the next generation through the AMADEE-18 MARS analog simulation

Abstract

The Austrian Space Forum in cooperation with the Oman Astronomical Society conducted a high-fidelity Mars Analog field simulation in the Dhofar region, Sultanate of Oman in February 2018. Directed by a Mission Support Center in Austria, a carefully selected and trained field crew of 15 researchers conducted experiments from various disciplines (e.g. engineering, planetary surface operations, astrobiology, geophysics/geology, life sciences) preparing for future human Mars missions. Mars analog research in a representative environment is also an excellent tool to enhance the visibility of planetary sciences and to engage with the next generation of researchers. To reach out to young students from 6 to 25 years, special programs and initiatives were set-up. This paper focuses on the Junior Researchers Program, where four high school and undergraduate student teams realized their experiments in a scientific mission, starting with defining their research questions, building their experiment hardware and finally analyzing and publishing the outcomes.