Project:

One of the most ambitious goals of Mankind is to establish a base on Mars. Maybe this dream is closer than we dare to imagine, but a lot remains to be prepared. The Mars Society is establishing a network of research facilities (such as the Mars Analog Research Station, see figure 1) that emulate the environment of a ‘campsite’ on Martian ground habitat. Different crews in a two week rotation scheme perform research in a broad range of areas, which are relevant for future Mars Human exploration. Such stations are (http://www.marssociety.org/MDRS/):
- Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) in Devon Island, Canada;
- Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, USA;
- Euro-Mars in Iceland (planned);
- Mars-Oz in Australia (planned).

Figure 1: The MDRS in February 2004 (Credit Mars Society)

The “LEONARDO” project was born just after the Summer Session 2004 (SSP04) of the International Space University (ISU). In this intensive, two-month program, students from all over the world participate in classes, workshops and team projects to learn about a range of different areas of Space: Technology, Engineering, Biology, Astronomy, Psychology, Law, History, etc. ISU has a strong credo, the so-called “3 I’s” approach (Interdisciplinary, International and Intercultural), which strongly influences its programs and the students, and becomes part of the philosophy of this project.

During SSP04, Dr. Sheryl Bishop (University of Texas) presented her studies in crew composition and group behavior in isolation. It was noted that very little data is available for all-female crews, and consequently a group of 12 ISU female affiliates was formed to put together the “MONA LISA” research proposal for a rotation at one of the Mars Society research stations. The “LEONARDO” project was put together not only to act as an all-male control experiment, but also to conduct individual projects that can benefit future human Mars missions.

This website describes the main research topic: Assessing group dynamics in an international female crew in a Mars simulation, through direct comparison with an all-male international crew subject to the same exact controlled conditions. Individual research projects will also be carried out as outlined in the proposal. An outreach plan is also presented in detail to involve and educate the public in importance of this type of research. Finally, the budget and schedule for the “LEONARDO” research proposal will be presented.