A Systematic Crew Selection Process For Mars Analogue Training Expeditions

Paper number

IAC-08.B3.5.10

Author

Mr. Lealem Mulugeta, International Space University (ISU), Canada

Coauthor

Ms. Melissa Battler, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Coauthor

Mr. Ryan Kobrick, University of Colorado at Boulder, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Rocky Persaud, Interplanetary Expeditions (IPX) Inc., Canada

Year

2008

Abstract

Mars analogue research stations allow us to investigate and devise countermeasures for the challenges astronauts will face while exploring the Martian surface. Work completed by the Mars Society Canada (MSC), through the Expedition Mars Analogue Research Training Series (ExMATS) program, has demonstrated that the fidelity of a Mars analogue is greatly improved when engineers and researchers are cross-trained in multiple exploration-related disciplines outside of their own expertise prior to participation in research-class analogue expeditions. The candidates selected to participate in training-class analog missions should have blends of technical and non-technical backgrounds and personalities conducive to a productive working and living environment. 

The objective of ExMATS is to increase the pool of expertise available to MSC’s Expedition Mars Analogue Research Series (ExMARS) extended science missions, by recruiting and training six researchers and engineers annually. As part of the recruiting process, a strong emphasis is placed on following a systematic crew selection process that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each applicant. Since the beginning of the MSC Mars analogue training program in 2004, the crew selection process has continuously been refined to yield higher quality crew selection during successive training missions. 

All applicants (engineers and researchers) are required to submit a resume, cover letter, a short biography, and character references. In addition, researchers are required to submit a research proposal, which is evaluated for scientific merit by a multidisciplinary peer review panel. Furthermore, the applicants are ranked on their technical, extracurricular, and personal background with respect to the role they are applying for. Those with the most favourable rankings and best proposals are short-listed for interviews. During interviews, the candidates are asked a series of questions and are ranked based on their responses to each question asked. Finally, the candidates with the highest ranking are selected to take part in a training mission and the runner-ups are slotted as backups in the event a selected crewmember is unable to participate.


In addition to training new recruits, ExMATS also serves as a leadership training program by having ExMATS alumni command and instruct training missions. The ExMATS program has developed a systematic method of selecting, training, and retaining mission-ready engineers, researchers and commanding officers for research-class Mars analogue expeditions.

Abstract document

IAC-08.B3.5.10.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.B3.5.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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