Mars Institute

The Mars Institute is an international nonprofit research organization headquartered at NASA Ames Research Park in Mountain View, California — with a Canadian office in Vancouver, British Columbia — dedicated to advancing the scientific study, human exploration, and public understanding of Mars. Founded in 2002 by planetary scientist Pascal Lee and colleagues, the Institute operates as an independent academic body conducting field research, mission concept development, and science education programs focused on Mars exploration readiness.

The Mars Institute is closely associated with the Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) research station on Devon Island in the Canadian High Arctic — one of the largest uninhabited islands on Earth and home to the 39-kilometer Haughton Impact Crater. Devon Island's polar desert environment — extreme cold, rocky terrain, lack of vegetation, and geologic structure — makes it one of the most Mars-analogous locations on Earth. HMP has hosted over 1,000 researchers and trainees since 1997, studying astrobiology, geology, permafrost, meteorology, and operational protocols directly applicable to future crewed Mars missions. Research at HMP contributed to design insights for spacesuits, rovers, pressurized exploration vehicles, and habitat systems.

The Institute's scientific program includes Mars geomorphology and crater studies using aerial surveys and LiDAR, microbial life detection in Mars-analog environments, and development of field exploration best practices for human-robot teaming. Pascal Lee, the Institute's Chairman, has conducted over 30 expeditions to Devon Island and is a NASA Mars scientist who has advised on Mars mission architecture including considerations for the Moon to Mars pathway.

Beyond field research, the Mars Institute produces public outreach content, supports Mars mission advocacy in policy forums, and collaborates with NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, SETI Institute, and international university partners on Mars science programs. The organization serves as an educational bridge between professional planetary scientists and the broader public interested in Mars exploration timelines and feasibility.