Life on Mars: Israeli scientists complete mock mission on Earth

New Delhi : Israeli scientists have concluded four-day mock Mars mission to prepare for living under the harsh conditions on the Red Planet. A team of six scientists went into Mars habitat experiment in Israel’s Negev desert where they simulated conditions similar to the planet, Israel’s Science and Technology Ministry said.

The surroundings of the test site at isolated Israeli township of Mitzpe Ramon resembled the Mars environment in its geology, aridity, appearance and desolation.

The main agenda of the experiment was to learn about satellite communications, the psychological effects of isolation and search of life signals on the red planet.

Participant Guy Ron, a nuclear physics professor from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said the project was not only intended to look for new approaches in designing a future mission to the Red Planet but to increase public interest.

“D-Mars is half about the research, and the other half is about the outreach. A major part of this project is getting public interest and getting students interested in space,” he said.