Welcome to the BASALT (Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains) research program website! We are an international team of scientists, engineers, mission operators, and astronauts who are dedicated to enabling the human-robotic exploration of Mars. Starting in Summer 2015, the BASALT team will begin fieldwork in Idaho and Hawai’i to understand the habitability of terrestrial volcanic terrains as analog environments for early and present-day Mars. Our scientific fieldwork will be conducted under simulated Mars mission constraints to evaluate strategically selected concepts of operations (ConOps) and capabilities with respect to their anticipated value for the joint human and robotic exploration of Mars. To learn more about our research, click on the Mission link.
Check-in for regular updates on our team’s research accomplishments, field adventures and outreach events. If you have any questions, please reach out to the BASALT team anytime!
Acknowledgments
BASALT gratefully acknowledges the NASA PSTAR (ROSES Element C14. Planetary Science & Technology Through Analog Research) program for its on-going funding and support. The BASALT team would also like to thank the National Park Service for their continued support of our research at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve (Idaho) and at Hawai’i Volcanoes Park (Big Island, Hawai’i).