Mock Mars Mission Photos: Life on a Simulated Red Planet

Komorowski Assists Jessup During 'Marswalk'

Elizabeth Howell

Crew 133 member Matthieu Komorowski (right) assists Joseph Jessup during a "Marswalk" at the Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 8, 2014.

Commander Crock During 'Marswalk'

Elizabeth Howell

Crew 133 commander Paula Crock during a "Marswalk" in Utah's desert near the Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 15, 2014.

Crock "Marswalking" in the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry

Elizabeth Howell

Crew 133 commander Paula Crock "Marswalking" in the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry, which is an ATV ride away from Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 15, 2014.

Journalist Howell at the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry

Elizabeth Howell

The shadow of journalist Elizabeth Howell's spacesuit falls across a small gorge at the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry, which is an ATV ride away from Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 15, 2014.

Frozen River at the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry

Elizabeth Howell

A frozen river at the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry, which is an ATV ride away from Utah's Mars Desert Research Station, Jan. 15, 2014.

Main Crew Workroom at Mars Desert Research Station

Elizabeth Howell

The main crew workroom at Utah's Mars Desert Research Station. The crew "staterooms" or bedrooms are just to the left, out of the picture. Pictured is Joseph Jessup, Crew 133 engineer.

Engineering Room

Elizabeth Howell

The engineering room in the downstairs of Utah's Mars Desert Research Station. At left is a mannequin used for medical procedures by Crew 133 doctor Matthieu Komorowski.

Mars Desert Research Station Tools

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Tools at Utah's Mars Desert Research Station.

Journalist Howell on Ladder

Joseph Jessup

Journalist Elizabeth Howell on the ladder connecting the upper and lower floors of the "Habitat" at Utah's Mars Desert Research Station.

Crew 133 Patch

Elizabeth Howell

The Crew 133 patch at Utah's Mars Desert Research Station. The crew stayed at the Mars Society facility in January 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