Mock Mars Mission Photos: Life on a Simulated Red Planet

Tight Fit

Elizabeth Howell

With six crew members on Crew 133, space was in short supply inside a vehicle heading to the Mars Desert Research Station on Jan. 4, 2014. Pictured is Elizabeth Howell.

Loading Up

Elizabeth Howell

Crew 133 executive officer Gordon Gartrelle puts the last few suitcases into a vehicle bound for the Mars Desert Research Station on Jan. 4, 2014.

Shadows of Spacesuits on 'Marswalk'

Elizabeth Howell

Shadows of spacesuits extend into a canyon during a "Marswalk" near Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 11, 2014.

Doctor Matthieu Komorowski on 'Marswalk'

Elizabeth Howell

Crew 133 doctor Matthieu Komorowski during a "Marswalk" near Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 11, 2014.

Elizabeth Howell on 'Marswalk'

Matthieu Komorowski

Journalist Elizabeth Howell during a "Marswalk" near Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 11, 2014.

Crew 133 Members Examine Radio Telescope

Elizabeth Howell

Crew 133 astronomer Pedro Diaz-Rubin (left) and engineer Joseph Jessup examine the output from a newly installed radio telescope at Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 11, 2014.

Diaz-Rubin and Gartrelle on 'Marswalk'

Elizabeth Howell

Crew 133 members Pedro Diaz-Rubin (left) and Gordon Gartrelle deal with some challenging terrain on a "Marswalk" at Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 14, 2014.

Tracks Near Utah's Mars Desert Research Station

Elizabeth Howell

There isn't much wildlife near Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, so these tracks caught the attention of Crew 133 on Jan. 14, 2014.

Snow Melting During a 'Marswalk'

Elizabeth Howell

Snow melting during a "Marswalk" Jan. 14, 2014 caused muddy conditions for Crew 133 at Utah's Mars Desert Research Station. Pictured is crew doctor Matthieu Komorowski.

Moon Shines Over Utah's Mars Desert Research Station

Matthieu Komorowski

The nearly full moon shines near Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 14, 2014.

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Elizabeth Howell
Staff Writer, Spaceflight

Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace