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BASALT Expedition Application for Undergraduate and Graduate Students |
Experience overview
The NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) is pleased to offer competitive funding for two undergraduate or graduate students to participate in the NASA BASALT research project simulated manned mission to Mars deployment in November, 2017 in Hawaii. BASALT (Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains) is a unique research project conducting real science under simulated Mars mission conditions. More information about the project can be found at https://spacescience.arc.nasa.gov/basalt/.
Student participants will assist in both the Science Backroom Team in Mission Control, and as members of the Field Support Team on “Mars.” Tasks will include hiking, carrying research equipment, analyzing and interpreting imagery, monitoring “astronaut” locations and activities within the mission timeline, etc. Participants will work directly with NASA scientists, engineers, astronauts, and faculty and grad students from multiple institutions. Participants will be given the option to work with a mentor to develop their own small research project within the BASALT framework. All participants in the BASALT project must be prepared for long hours, strict schedules, and rotation through menial tasks; this is a research deployment, not a vacation. Professional behavior will be expected at all times.
The deployment is November 4-18 on the Big Island of Hawaii. Work will be conducted within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and runs 7 days a week. Students will receive training prior to deployment and will have the option to participate in weekly planning teleconferences.
Student participants will assist in both the Science Backroom Team in Mission Control, and as members of the Field Support Team on “Mars.” Tasks will include hiking, carrying research equipment, analyzing and interpreting imagery, monitoring “astronaut” locations and activities within the mission timeline, etc. Participants will work directly with NASA scientists, engineers, astronauts, and faculty and grad students from multiple institutions. Participants will be given the option to work with a mentor to develop their own small research project within the BASALT framework. All participants in the BASALT project must be prepared for long hours, strict schedules, and rotation through menial tasks; this is a research deployment, not a vacation. Professional behavior will be expected at all times.
The deployment is November 4-18 on the Big Island of Hawaii. Work will be conducted within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and runs 7 days a week. Students will receive training prior to deployment and will have the option to participate in weekly planning teleconferences.
Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years old or older.
- Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a college or university in Idaho.
- Any major is welcome to apply; we are an interdisciplinary team and will accept students from any field.
- Must be able to carry a ~30 lb pack while hiking for 2 miles.
- Must be able to work well in teams.
- Must be available November 4-18.
- Must be 18 years old or older.
- Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a college or university in Idaho.
- Any major is welcome to apply; we are an interdisciplinary team and will accept students from any field.
- Must be able to carry a ~30 lb pack while hiking for 2 miles.
- Must be able to work well in teams.
- Must be available November 4-18.
Important Note: This expedition takes place mid-semester and will require coordination/permission with professors at the student’s home institution.
Note: All application materials, including recommendation letters, must be submitted by 11:59 pm PDT on 9/24/17.