MarsDrive

MarsDrive has been represented by two of our Founders Circle members Randall Shelaga and MarsDrive Board of Advisors member Melissa Battler at the current Mars Desert Research Station in Utah for crew 67 Expedition Epsilon. Randall will conduct a survey on our behalf to ascertain ways in which we can further assist the Mars Analogue research programs.

We wish them all the best and also the rest of the crew as they seek to expand our knowledge of what is required for human missions to Mars. A full report will be available in early March.

Randy Shelaga has over twenty years of experience in Aerospace Engineering ranging from the design of flight test installations to structures and systems installations for military aircraft, regional airliners and business jets. Currently he is the Manager, Airworthiness for SPAR Aerospace Ltd. in Edmonton, Alberta. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors looking at the night sky, wondering when man will travel to Mars.

As a child he watched man first orbit the earth and step on the moon, as an adult he shared in the loss of the Challenger and Columbia crews. He is a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (Edmonton Centre). In 1998 when he read "The Case for Mars" this childhood love of astronomy and space exploration was renewed and fast became a passion. This passion has since grown; he was the Chief Engineer and Phase 2 Commander for MSC's Expedition Alpha (MDRS Crew 30) and most recently, Surface Exploration Systems Engineer for Expedition Three. In February 2008, he will Command Expedition Epsilon, the fifth MSC Training Mission. He continues to seek ways to increase his involvement with Mars Analogue Research.