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NASA Eyes Svalbard For Mars Research

Posted by Hemos on from the testing-it-out dept.

TomMajor writes "The US space agency NASA is keen on using Svalbard as a regular testing grounds for future expeditions to Mars. One expert says research conditions on the Norwegian Arctic archipelago are "first-class.""

2 of 13 comments (clear)

  1. NasaWatch visits Svalbard by RobotWisdom · · Score: 3, Informative

    Keith Cowing of NasaWatch weblog is one of the Americans doing research at 'Mars Summer Camp' on Devon Island. Illustrated journals are available for last year and for the season just starting: [example and links]

  2. 10 things to know about Svalbard (from my memory) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    1. Svalbard is an expensive place (much more Expensive than on Norway mainland).
    2. But weapons and booze can be bought very cheap. And they sell it in ordinary stores. Some voices call it a tragic society...
    3. There is one pub at Svalbard called "Huset". It is located in Longearbyen.
    4. The bouncers of "Huset" aren't allowed to toss you out. Because
    5. there are polar bears on Svalbard. These magnificent animals are much more agressive than at least the Norwegian brown bear. They can smack their way in to your cabin and eat youif they are in a bad mood.
    6. Watch out for the foxes on Svalbard. They may have rabies..
    7. There also lives Russians on Svalbard. They have several mining communities on Spitsbergen. Barentsburg and Pyramiden.
    8. Even if Svalbard is a dmz, Russian subs have been spotted there.. Even recently.
    9. Svalbard is covered by the gulf stream as Norway is. The harbour is mostly ice free in the winter.
    10. Svalbard has no ancient people. William Barents discovered it in 1596.