Advancing humanity’s
journey to Mars —
from Seattle.
We’re the Seattle chapter of the International Mars Society — a volunteer community of engineers, educators, students, and advocates, now partnered with South Seattle College to build a Moon & Mars analog research station in West Seattle.
South Seattle College
The West Seattle campus — future home of the analog research station.
Mars Desert Research Station
Utah — operated by the International Mars Society for over two decades.
Channeled Scablands
Dry Falls, WA — Ice Age flood terrain studied as a natural Mars analog.
Photos: Mission Glass · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) · IUGS Geoheritage
Latest News
-
Mars Society & South Seattle College Sign 10-Year Agreement to Build Moon/Mars Analog Research Station in Pacific NW
Read more →: Mars Society & South Seattle College Sign 10-Year Agreement to Build Moon/Mars Analog Research Station in Pacific NWThe International Mars Society, through its Seattle Chapter, and South Seattle College have signed a 10-year Memorandum of Agreement to build a Moon and Mars analog research station on the SSC campus in West Seattle.
-
Minutes from January Chapter Business Meeting – January 23rd, 2019
Attendees: James Burk, OrganizerPreciaBobNickTheresaZane James provided an overview of the several current projects being undertaken by the Mars Society including: The Mars Desert Research Station, where James was…
-
Meeting Minutes – December Meeting
At our December meeting, James Burk gave a presentation on the Mars Society, our projects, and our plans for 2018. The presentation was recorded and you can watch…
The Agreement
Four Pillars
The 10-year MOA covers four interconnected programs spanning research, education, workforce, and community.
1
Analog Research Station
A Moon/Mars habitat on SSC’s West Seattle campus — the world’s 3rd dedicated analog station, after MDRS in Utah and FMARS in the Canadian Arctic.
3
Student Capstone & Internships
Real engineering and research challenges tied to industry partners including Blue Origin, SpaceX Starlink, and Aerojet Rocketdyne.
2
Space Studies Curriculum
A joint stackable certificate pathway students can earn alongside existing skilled-trades programs, applicable to lunar and planetary surface operations.
4
Regional Workforce Pipeline
Hiring pathways, grants, and community programs connecting PNW students to the aerospace sector jobs already here in our region.
“Bringing that capability to an urban community college campus is something new, and it is deliberate. The Moon and Mars programs the federal government has now committed to are going to need a workforce we have not trained for in 50 years.”
James L. Burk
Executive Director, International Mars Society
“This partnership reflects our commitment to exploring bold, future-oriented opportunities that expand access, inspire imagination, and ensure our students are prepared to lead in emerging industries.”
Dr. Monica Brown
President, South Seattle College
One community. One partnership.
Limitless possibilities.
We need volunteers with diverse skills and community members who believe that space exploration belongs to everyone — including West Seattle.
100% of donations support our local chapter and the SSC partnership — entirely separate from our parent organization, the International Mars Society.