Mars on Earth - On an analog Mars Mission - TUM School of Engineering and Design

What does it take to live like an astronaut on Mars? For Dr. Sydney Dolan, Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Chair of Spacecraft Systems at the Technical University of Munich, the answer came during an unforgettable week at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) - the world’s largest and longest-running Mars surface simulation facility, operated by The Mars Society.

A crew member in an astronaut suit walks across the Mars-like terrain. — Like walking on Mars: The Mars analogue habitat is operated by the Mars Society. Image: Alina Kunitskaya

Sydney Dolan with crew in front of the Mars Society Desert Research Station — Sydney Dolan (in the back, on the right) joined forces with members of crew 323. Image: Erin Richardson

The Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert at sunset — The Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert near Hanksville, U.S. Image: Tania Gres

Two crew members in a vehicle during an extravehicular activity — Rover Challenge: Extravehicular activities (EVAs) take crews into the surrounding area and are the foundation of field research at MDRS. Image: Alina Kunitskaya

Portrait Dr. Sydney Dolan — Sydney Dolan spent one week on the mission to Mars. Sydney is postdoc at Technical University of Munich, working on neuromorphic computer vision algorithms for space situational awareness. Image: Brian Diaz Photography

Sydney served as Crew Engineer on Crew 323, joining an international team of six analog astronauts in the Utah desert. For five days, they lived under conditions designed to mimic life on the Red Planet: limited resources, strict routines, and only occasional communication with Earth. “Every detail, from the habitat to the spacesuits, was meant to replicate what astronauts will face on Mars,” Sydney recalls.

This mission wasn’t just about survival; it was about science. As part of a University of Colorado Boulder (CU) research study, the crew conducted extra-vehicular activities (EVAs) to study decision-making and teamwork in isolated, confined, and extreme environments. As Sydney credits, “The COSMOS Research Team at CU made the entire mission possible: They designed our schedule, our EVAs, and the overall objectives.” Sydney also participated in a secondary study on ultrasound technology training for astronauts, as ultrasound is particularly valuable as a tool in space medicine due to its compact size and weight. “I performed self-examinations to capture the apical four-chamber view of my heart,” Sydney explains. “It’s amazing to think these recordings could help improve medical care for future astronauts.”

Getting selected for this mission was no small feat. Out of 550 applicants, only 18 were chosen to form three crews. The selection process mirrored real astronaut recruitment, emphasizing advanced degrees, prior experience in stressful environments, and even military backgrounds. “They wanted crews that felt authentic,” Sydney says. “It was humbling to be among such talented people.”

Crew 323 included specialists from around the globe: two co-commanders, a scientist, a medic, a greenhab officer, and Sydney as engineer. Each brought unique expertise - from astrophysics and aerospace engineering to bioengineering - creating a dynamic team ready to tackle Mars-like challenges.

Daily life inside the habitat was both fascinating and demanding. Meals consisted of dehydrated foods, rehydrated for hours before cooking, tasting very different. Despite the challenges, the experience was deeply rewarding. “Meeting the crew, solving problems together, and stargazing under the Milky Way on our last night - it was incredible,” Sydney reflects. “I feel so fortunate for the opportunity to participate, and excited to hear about the potential research outcomes of this work from all the data they collected. The experience really renewed my appreciation for the importance and value of the work humans do in space.”

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