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LinkedIn posted this announcement in late July, 2026.
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View Frederic Eger’s profile
Frederic EgerZionist, Inventor, Founder, Author: Albert Einstein: Father of Federal Zionism (2025)(amazon.com/dp/9934384531), One-State Solution (2026)(amazon.com/dp/B0GDV191CN), Globalize Zionism (2027)(amazon.com/dp/B0H3LL5JLW)
Mars Society and South Seattle College to Develop Moon–Mars Analog Station for Pacific Northwest Workforce by Frederic Eger - South Seattle College has teamed up with The Mars Society for a long-term partnership—ten years, to be exact—to bring a Moon–Mars analog research station to the heart of West Seattle. This project places the Pacific Northwest on the map as a hub for surface operations and workforce training tied directly to NASA’s Artemis program and the Project Ignition Moon Base effort. It's a big, hands-on step toward training the next generation of aerospace technicians and engineers, blending applied research, technical education, and deep connections with industry.
SSC Pdt Dr. Monica Brown and Mars Society Exec. Dir. James L. Burk made things official with a Memorandum of Agreement, establishing four core projects. The plan: build an analog habitat and field operations center on SSC’s grounds, raise funds through joint efforts and outside support, design a comprehensive space-studies curriculum with stackable certificates leading into SSC degree paths, embed robust capstone and internship programs with industry, and drive regional workforce and community engagement, all tailored to Washington’s expanding space-tech scene.The station draws on the Mars Society’s history of analog work at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah and the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station in Canada, where teams already run simulated Mars missions—testing human factors, perfecting EVA routines, and working with rovers and drones under challenging field conditions. At SSC, this goes one step further. Programs in auto and diesel tech will dig into electric vehicles and battery systems tailored for planetary exploration, culinary and pastry students will tinker with controlled-environment agriculture and food for off-world living, and aviation maintenance students will work on habitat systems, structures, and safety checks right in the simulation.
This all lines up with a U.S. space focus that’s heating up again. NASA’s Artemis II mission brings crewed flights out beyond low Earth orbit, and Project Ignition’s vision for a $20-billion lunar base is set to boost demand for spacecraft technicians, propulsion experts, and surface operations pros—at scale. The Pacific Northwest sits at the epicenter, with local heavyweights like Blue Origin in Kent, SpaceX’s Starlink production in Redmond, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Boeing ready to scoop up skilled grads from this new talent pipeline.
Another key piece: connecting with the community from day one. The first public step is rolling out an inflatable habitat mockup at SSC’s aviation building, inviting local families, students, and residents to see and interact with space tech up close. A Technical Advisory Committee and a coordinated grant-seeking plan will keep the station’s work, learning outcomes, and resources tightly aligned with federal and state priorities in space exploration and high-tech manufacturing.One Comment:
View Don Wade’s profile
Don Wade 3rd+Don Wade • 3rd+Semiretired, Multidisciplinary Entrepreneur
Please take a look at building systems on the Moon and Mars next to a cave entrance. The radiation in both environments is dangerous! Locating, even a shallow cave - and building inside the cave would protect humans from the radiation - then build onto the entrance to increase the building site and protect everything from radiation. Not just "Go and Build". Build next to a cave entrance. More information on the LinkedIn Group: "Radiation in Deep Space Systems". The information there will show the problem - and the workaround solution.… more
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Post #3: Announcement of live online event August 18th.
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We have an update ... Mars Society is hosting an online event about the new station.
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Building the Next Generation of Moon & Mars Exploration: New Partnership Featured on Red Planet LiveYou're invited to a special episode of Red Planet Live discussing the Mars Society's new 10-year partnership with South Seattle College to build a Moon-Mars analog research station, featuring discussions on training, research, workforce development, and STEM education.
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Fri, Aug 7 at 4:08 PM
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MARS SOCIETY ANNOUNCEMENTBuilding the Next Generation of Moon & Mars Exploration: New Partnership Featured on Red Planet Live
Join Mars Society Executive Director James Burk and South Seattle College President Dr. Monica Brown on Tuesday, August 18th (5:00 pm PT) for a special episode of the Red Planet Live podcast, hosted by Ashton Zeth, as they discuss the Society’s new 10-year partnership with the College to build a Moon-Mars analog research station in the Pacific Northwest.
The conversation will explore how this ambitious collaboration will establish a new center for analog astronaut training, scientific research, workforce development, and STEM education, while creating pathways for students to gain hands-on experience through internships, capstone projects, and a new space studies curriculum. The station is envisioned as a regional hub supporting NASA’s Artemis-era goals and future human missions to the Moon and Mars.
Dr. Brown serves as President of South Seattle College, where she is leading initiatives to expand STEM education, workforce development, and partnerships with industry and research organizations. She has been instrumental in launching the college’s collaboration with the Mars Society to develop a Moon-Mars analog research station in the Pacific Northwest, creating new opportunities for students to participate in hands-on space research, engineering, and technology programs.
In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Mars Society, Mr. Burk oversees its global analog research program, including the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah and the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station in northern Canada. A veteran analog astronaut and crew commander, he is also leading the development of the Mars Technology Institute, advancing technologies and research to support future human missions to the Moon and Mars.
To learn more about our RPL podcast and how to register for the upcoming show, please click here.
Red Planet Live is a monthly live podcast from The Mars Society – Ashton Zeth interviews the people instrumental in exploring and settling Mars. The show will focus on a wide variety of topics, including Mars and space exploration, STEM education, technology, women in science, astrobiology, the aerospace industry, and much more, with exciting and open discussions involving experts in these respective fields.
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