A Mars mission in Austria's mountains

That's the name of the two-week long project, run by the Austrian Space Forum (ÖWF), which started on August 3rd on the Kaunertal Glacier. Carmen Köhler from Berlin and Munoz Elorza from Spain are exercising the excursion to Mars as what's called "analogue astronauts". Köhler and Elorza chose a glacier because the environment there is not too dissimilar from that on Mars.

The space suit, which is coated with a layer of aluminum and consists of fire-resistant kevlar, weighs 48 kilograms (roughly 100 pounds). "Bending over and getting up is difficult," said mathematician and meterologist Carmen Köhler. After five months of a special training course, Köhler was selected for the special mission.

In summer, the glacier with its rubble and rocky surfaces is just as difficult to navigate as the red planet, which makes this area perfect for this simulation. The researchers call is "ideal conditions." They are also testing two Mars-Rover models, which are able to move over and around the large rocks.

This vehicle has features similar to Mars rover Opportunity. The original has been exploring Mars for eleven years, and in 2012 it was joined by the more modern rover Curiosity. The researchers controlling the test vehicles in Austria have it easier than their NASA colleagues: in Austria the rovers respond immediately to commands, while a signal from Earth to Mars takes about 20 Minutes.

Traveling to Mars and back would take about three years. A lot can happen during that time. That's why the researchers are trying to anticipate every possible problem: for exmaple, what would you to do if part of a tooth chips off? In this case a 3D printer could provide the necessary denture. Otherwise, maintaining good nutrition helps.

100 researchers from 19 countries are involved in the trial and are testing out practical workflows. They have 12 experiments on their schedule, including testing a steam shower, a new device that uses very small amounts of liquids. Right now astronauts are using wet wipes to "shower."

Equipment and personnel arrived on the glacier easily thanks to the cable railway; travel time was only few minutes. Getting to Mars would take almost one year. And opening a helmet during a break will not be possible on Mars.

The researchers opted for the summer months to conduct their trial. Soon, the Kaunertal glacier will be covered by snow and ice again. And no Mars rover would be able to cope with a serious snow drift.