PRESS RELEASE: Mountain View, CA and Vancouver, BC, 24 April 2009 - An international team of researchers led by Mars Institute scientist Dr. Pascal Lee successfully reached the arctic community of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada on Friday, 17 April, after an 8-day, 500 km vehicular trek on sea-ice along the fabled Northwest Passage. The team of five departed Kugluktuk, Nunavut on 10 April aboard the Mars Institute’s Moon-1 Humvee Rover and two snowmobiles, and logged a record-breaking total of 494 km, the longest distance ever driven on sea-ice in a road vehicle.

The expedition is an integral part of the Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) on Devon Island, High Arctic, where research in space science and exploration is being conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Mars Institute, the SETI Institute, and other partnering organizations. The primary goal of the Northwest Passage Drive Expedition was to transport the Mars Institute’s new Moon-1 Humvee Rover from Kugluktuk to Devon Island. The rover serves as a concept vehicle simulating future pressurized rovers to be used by humans on the Moon and Mars.

During their traverse from Kugluktuk to Cambridge Bay, the field team encountered challenging weather and ice surface conditions, including a 40-hour whiteout, unseasonably thick snow cover, massive rough ice, and treacherous snow-covered leads (open cracks in the sea-ice exposing liquid seawater). At one point, the rear of the Moon-1 sank into one such hidden lead, but the vehicle was saved by the team’s immediate actions and thanks to the Humvee’s unique capabilities and equipment. “For a moment there, I thought this might be it, but we had come prepared and trained, and our rover is an incredible machine” says Lee.

Because of the unusual amount of late snow covering the region this year which prevents efficient progress on sea-ice and dangerously obscures open leads, the Mars Institute has decided to pause the Northwest Passage Drive Expedition in Cambridge Bay and is now seeking to airlift the Moon-1 Humvee Rover the rest of the way to Resolute Bay. Once in Resolute, the driving expedition will resume in order to transfer the rover from Cornwallis Island to Devon Island, where it will be used for lunar exploration research for NASA at the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station this coming Summer and beyond.

During this past week’s trek, the scientists have already collected important scientific and technical data that will help plan and implement future long-range rover traverses on the Moon and Mars. In addition, snow samples were collected to study the potential biological impact of humans exploring pristine environments, a study that will help understand the potential for forward contamination in future Moon and Mars exploration. Snow and sea-ice thickness measurements were also made that will feed into Climate Change studies and the long term monitoring of the Arctic environment. Throughout their voyage, the expedition stayed in periodic contact with Dr Stephen Braham at Simon Fraser University who served as the mission’s “Capcom”.

While visiting the Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay communities, the Northwest Passage Drive Expedition team was greeted by local government representatives and gave talks at high schools. Throughout its journey, the Moon-1 Humvee Rover has received remarkable interest and support from northern communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. “The value of understanding Earth and space are things that humans from all cultures can relate to, but in the North, there is first hand experience with the challenges of living in extreme environments, and our expedition strikes a chord with Arctic communities” says Marc Boucher, CEO of the Mars Institute.

The Moon-1 will remain in Cambridge Bay until it catches its flight northward to Resolute Bay.

Partners and official sponsors of the Mars Institute Haughton-Mars Project and Northwest Passage Drive Expedition include NASA, Canadian Space Agency, Air National Guard, SETI Institute, Simon Fraser University, National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Cornell University, University of Alberta, University of Florida, AM General, ARB, Bassett Petroleum Distributors of Yellowknife, Bombardier, First Air, Hamilton Sundstrand, Kikiak of Kugluktuk, Kitnuna of Cambridge Bay, Mattracks, Mountain Hardwear, Musk Foundation, Pelican Signs, Pull-Pal, RTL Robinson Enterprises, Shokolade Cafe, Sorel, SpaceRef Interactive, and Jules Verne Adventures.

Photo's from the expedition can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hmpresearchstation/

Google Earth KMZ file marking the beginning point of the expedition and ending point with SPOT GPS tracking data: http://www.marsonearth.org/2009/kml/2009NorthwestPassageDriveExpedition.kmz

For more information, please visit www.marsinstitute.info or www.marsonearth.org or contact:

Dr Pascal Lee
Mars Institute
pascal.lee@marsinstitute.net
408-687-7103

Marc Boucher, CEO
Mars Institute
marc.boucher@marsinstitute.net
604-628-2121

Posted by Marc Boucher at 12:00 PM

Late this morning after traveling across the arctic ice for the last week from Kugluktuk and covering over 500 kilometers, the Northwest Passage Drive Expedition team arrived safely in Cambridge Bay on the south-eastern portion of Victoria Island. Never before has anyone driven this route, a portion of the Northwest Passage, in a road vehicle.

Along the way the team experienced highs and lows as the drive started off slowly, encountered a blizzard which kept them isolated in one location for a day and half and also had a the rear of the Moon-1 Humvee Rover briefly go through the ice.

They encountered scenery none of them have ever experienced and few have ever seen. They were not alone on their journey as flocks of birds could be seen at times.

This is an experience the team will remember for a lifetime and an accomplishment all should be proud of. Their experiences were documented for a film to come out later this year. We will post some of the images the team took and perhaps some short video in the coming days. Further updates will be posted as well in the coming days. For now the team is resting in Cambridge Bay.

Posted by Marc Boucher at 4:21 PM | Comments (0)

The Northwest Passage Expedition team had an excellent day of driving. Covering over 100 km, they are now in shouting distance of Cambridge Bay! They are parked for the night by the Southernmost Finlayson Island. Tomorrow, they will drive north along the island chain to Long Point, to avoid blocky ice seen in radar images from space by Mission Support, as well as reported pressure ridges. Indeed, the ice approaching Cambridge Bay has been increasingly blocky today. Everybody is healthy, warm, and having fun. The team is looking forward to an expected arrival in Cambridge Bay, after a drive from the landing area at Long Point.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 11:05 PM

The Northwest Passage Expedition crew had another long traverse today - 92km made good from this morning's location, and over 100 km of total traverse! They traversed through the Wilmot Islands back towards the south coast, and will move along the coast until close to Cambridge Bay, at which time they will traverse across the channel. However, there was some excitement at the end of the day when Moon-1 went through the ice! Everyone is fine - the rear tracks of Moon-1 went through a slushy lead, hidden by snow. The crew placed an anchoring system into the ice and used the powerful forward winch on the rover to pull it out of the water. No damage was done, and everybody is warm and happy in Moon-1 tonight, expecting another big drive tomorrow. It was expected that the ice would be in a more broken condition in this final part of the traverse towards Cambridge Bay, and the team will stay alert!

Posted by Elaine Walker at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)

The Mars Institute and the Haughton-Mars Project would like to heartily thank the many generous sponsors who helped this expedition become a reality. Without their faith in our abilities and mission we would not be where we are today.

AM General

AM General is the manufacturer of the military High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or Humvee. The Moon-1 Humvee Rover was provided to the Mars Institute by AM General in support of Science and Exploration research at HMP. The HMP uses Humvees because of their exceptional characteristics as all-terrain personnel and cargo transport vehicles, and their suitability as Moon/Mars pressurized rover simulators in the high Arctic’s extreme environment.

ARB

ARB is a leading supplier of 4x4 accessories. The Moon-1 Humvee Rover carries two ARB Bushranger Jack-X inflatable jacks that allow the vehicle to be raised for maintenance work anywhere in the field, including on soft ground. ARB ‘s sound history of quality and convenient products are necessary for the field team while in the extreme conditions of Canada’s Arctic.

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP)

BRP is a leading manufacturer of motorized recreational vehicles. Two BRP Skandic snowmobiles will be used to support the NWP Drive Expedition, with one Skandic 550F serving as a scout vehicle over treacherous sea-ice and the other serving as logistics snowmobile and back-up scout. BRP has a history of exceptional performance, endurance, and reliability, which Is needed on such a long-range polar expedition.

First Air

First Air, the Airline of the North, is Canada’s largest Arctic airline. First Air has been an Official Sponsor of the Haughton-Mars Project since the earliest days of the project and is well known for their excellent safety records, reliability and exceptional knowledge of Canada’s Arctic. A First Air C-130 Hercules transport plane will be used to deliver the Moon-1 Humvee Rover from Yellowknife to Kugluktuk, the starting point of the NWP Drive Expedition. First Air will also be used to transport the NWP Drive Expedition’s field team and cargo across the Arctic.

Mattracks

Mattracks is the inventor and leading manufacturer of off-road all-terrain rubber track conversion systems. Mattracks tracks have been successfully used on the HMP’s Mars- 1 Humvee Rover since 2003. Mattracks is the supplier of the Moon-1 Humvee Rover’s critical track system that will allow the vehicle to travel over sea-ice during the NWP Drive Expedition.

Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance outdoors gear. Mountain Hardwear has been a supplier of tents on the Haughton-Mars Project since 1998. Mountain Hardwear down sleeping bags, full body suits, and other extreme environment gear will be used during the NWP Drive Expedition.

Musk Foundation

The Musk Foundation awards grants in support of research in human space exploration, renewable energies, and science and engineering education. Research, education, and public outreach activities on the NWP Drive Expedition are supported in part by the Musk Foundation.

Pull Pal

Pull-Pal is a world leading designer and manufacturer of anchoring systems for all-terrain vehicles. The HMP’s Mars-1 and Moon-1 Humvee Rovers are both equipped with a Pull-Pal RW14,000 anchor. Pull-Pal anchors are necessary when exploring the extreme terrain of the High Arctic because of their exceptional ease of use, effectiveness, and reliability.

RTL Robinson Enterprises Ltd.

RTL Robinson is a leading transportation and logistics company in the North. RTL Robinson was used for critical transportation and logistics support to the NWP Drive Expedition. RTL Robinson is known for their exceptional transportation expediency, reliability, and security, which is of extreme importance for the NWP expedition’s supplies.

Sorel

Sorel is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance cold-weather footwear. The NWP Drive Expedition team will be wearing Sorel Intrepid Explorer and Intrepid Expedition boots and liners. Sorel boots are known for their safety, warmth, dryness, and comfort and are a necessity in the extreme environment of the polar regions.

SpaceRef Interactive

SpaceRef Interactive is an international internet content and database firm specializing in scientific and technical websites, in particular on space exploration. SpaceRef Interactive has been an Official Sponsor of the HMP since 2002. The NWP Drive Expedition’s education and public outreach activities are supported in part by SpaceRef Interactive.

Pelican Signs

For over 30 years Pelican Signs in Santa Clara, CA. have worked with businesses of all types to help create the signage that reflects their products or services. Pelican Signs has made the high quality logo decals placed on the Moon-1. The highest quality signs are needed in the extreme environments of Canada’s Arctic.

Schokolade Artisan Chocolates

Freshly Made, All Natural Chocolate, Handcrafted in Vancouver , B.C. The Schokolade Café has kindly offered to supply the NWP Expedition some natural handmade chocolate to warm them while on the ice.

Posted by Marc Boucher at 9:20 PM

The Mars Institute and the Haughton-Mars Project are pleased to have partnered with the following government agencies, universities, organizations and companies. Through these partnerships we are able to conduct world class research.

Presented here is a partial list. Additions are forthcoming.

Government Agencies

Air National Guard (USA)

The Air National Guard's federal mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances). During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to most Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, humanitarian and contingency operations.

Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

CSA began supporting research at HMP in 2003. In 2005, CSA selected HMP to become a node of its newly formed Canadian Analogue Research Network (CARN). CSA continues to sponsor Science investigations at HMP.

Indian & Northern Affairs Canada (Canada)

Canada's economic and social well-being benefits from strong, self-sufficient Aboriginal and northern people and communities. Our vision is a future in which First Nations, Inuit, Métis and northern communities are healthy, safe, self-sufficient and prosperous - a Canada where people make their own decisions, manage their own affairs and make strong contributions to the country as a whole.

National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)

NASA has been supporting research at HMP since the beginning of the project in 1997 and continues to sponsor both Science and Exploration studies at HMP.

Nunavut Research Institute (Nunavut)

The Nunavut Research Institute strives to provide leadership in developing, facilitating and promoting traditional knowledge, science, research and technology as a resource for the well-being of people in Nunavut.

Polar Continental Shelf Project (Canada)

Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP) coordinates support for, and offers expert advice to Canadian government and university scientists and independent, private sector and non-Canadian researchers working in isolated areas throughout the Canadian Arctic.

Local Arctic Communities

Nunavut Communities of Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven,
Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord.

Organizations

Jules Verne Adventures (France & USA)

Explorers and filmmakers Jean-Christophe Jeauffre and Frédéric Dieudonné founded the Jules Verne Adventures team in 1991, in Paris. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to Exploration, Conservation and Education.

The National Space Biomedical Research

Institute (NSBRI) seeks solutions to health concerns facing astronauts on
long missions.

SETI Institute

The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. The SETI Institute has a been a partner of the HMP since 1997.

Private Companies

Garmin

Garmin is founded on the principles of innovation, convenience, performance, value, and service. What began as a brainstorming session of a handful of engineers around a card table in 1989 has evolved into a worldwide collaborative effort of thousands of colleagues. Garmin’s goal, as it was then, remains simple: To create navigation and communication devices that can enrich our customers’ lives. Our innovative products span various areas of interest, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation and wireless applications.

Hamilton Sundstrand

Hamilton Sundstrand designs and manufactures aerospace systems for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft, and is a major supplier for international space programs. Hamilton Sundstrand's industrial products serve industries ranging from hydrocarbon, chemical and food processing to construction and mining.

Universities

Simon Fraser University

Named after explorer Simon Fraser, SFU opened on September 9, 1965. Taking only 30 months to grow from the idea stage into an almost-completed campus with 2,500 students it was dubbed the “Instant University”. Just over 42 years later SFU has over 30,000 students and 100,000 alumni, more than 700 tenure-track faculty and 1,600 staff. The original campus has grown into three vibrant campuses in Burnaby, Vancouver and Surrey and SFU’s reputation has grown into one of innovative teaching, research, and community outreach.

Posted by Marc Boucher at 9:02 PM | Comments (0)

The Northwest Passage Expedition team has woken up in good spirits and is setting course for the Wilmot Islands across expected smooth ice. Conditions are overcast, which makes it hard to see the shape of the terrain at times. This was a problem often seen during lunar traverses, when the Sun was in a position that did not create long shadows. However, weather is due to improve and the NWP Expedition crew is looking forward to a great drive!

Posted by Elaine Walker at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)

The Northwest Passage Expedition crew were happy to traverse 100 km with the Moon-1 Humvee Rover today, even after stops due to a white-out! However, snow is still slowing the traverse down a lot. Even though the path worked out between the crew and Mission Support, detected from satellite data, did indeed lead to far smoother ice after Hepburn Island, the amount of snow on top of the ice right now makes it hard going. With more snow storms happening right now, conditions are going to remain tough. However, the team is very happy, and the expedition crew enjoyed the amazing scenery today, especially as they drove past the spectacular island chains formed from volcanic rocks. They are being followed by birds and have seen some polar bear tracks. The guys continue to wolf down their freeze-dried food, enjoy relaxation when it comes, and are taking time to absorb the wonder of the Arctic experience that brings all of us at HMP back again year after year. Everybody remains healthy and sends their love to friends and family. We're learning a lot about what it takes, and what the constraints are for long-range planetary pressurized rover traverses.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 9:59 PM | Comments (0)

The Northwest Passage Expedition team checked in this morning, reporting to be healthy and hoping to get moving! They proceeded to make 20 km of steady progress towards the gap which should lead into better ice, then entered another period of white-out. They're stopping to wait it out. There may be periods of blowing snow today, so hopefully the weather will clear and the traverse will resume. Everybody is in good spirits and doing well.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)

The Northwest Passage Expedition crew is healthy and in good spirits, and will remain at the same location overnight. The weather improved slightly earlier on this evening, but then visibility got worse, and nightfall is approaching. Conditions should be clear tomorrow, and the traverse is expected to re-start in the morning.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 1:05 AM | Comments (0)

The Northwest Passage Expedition Crew are remaining at the same site for another night, with hopes that the storm will clear by morning. They remain in great spirits, and are happy and warm inside the Moon-1 Humvee Rover. They are still in almost continuous white-out conditions, with only an occasional patch of blue sky.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 1:02 AM | Comments (0)

The NWP Expedition crew is still in a white-out, and can only see pieces of blue ice around them. They are hunkering down until the weather clears. Mission Support presently believes that conditions will improve in the afternoon or early evening. Spirits are very high and the team is taking the time to simply relax and keep warm.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 2:02 PM | Comments (0)

Expedition commander Dr. Pascal Lee has just checked in and reports the team is doing well. Family members should be reassured that all members are ok.

The weather however has been problematic and the team is in the same location that they stopped at yesterday afternoon and are waiting out the storm. The weather is expected to get better by tomorrow with clear skies expected by Wednesday. The team hopes to be in Cambridge Bay sometime on Friday.

Posted by Marc Boucher at 12:54 PM

The Northwest Passage Drive Expedition team is stopping for awhile, as they are in total blizzard white-out conditions. A nasty weather system has come in from the North, and is in front of them, in the direction of Cambridge Bay.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)

The Northwest Passage Drive Expedition team is doing well and are departing on a major drive today towards Hepburn Island and the gateway into the expected smooth ice area.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 12:06 PM

The Northwest Passage Drive Expedition Team checked in, and are settling in for the night, after another leg of 44 km, and reaching 96 km from Kugluktuk. Live tracking data is now being transmitted automatically. The condition of the snow on the ice has improved and fuel consumption has greatly decreased. They are now on the ice just off the coast, and are expecting a long drive tomorrow towards the expected smoother ice. Ice remains thick but very variable. The team is in good spirits and looking forward to sleep! They are finding Moon-1's thermal infrared camera very useful for monitoring crew members as they move around the Moon-1 Humvee Rover in the dark.

SPOT GPS Messenger Tracking

Posted by Elaine Walker at 11:12 PM

Joe Amarualik (Resolute Bay) and John W. Schutt (Mars Institute) had a very successful trip to Kugluktuk, returning to the Moon-1 camp together with all the fuel needed for the next three days. Grant Newman and Ron McKay of Kikiak Contracting provided major help to Joe and John in Kugluktuk, and the project is extremely thankful to them for all that they have been doing for the Northwest Passage Drive Expedition. The team was preparing to leave at 16:41 Local (15:41PT) to head off on the next leg of the traverse. Meanwhile at Mission Support in Vancouver, Dr Stephen Braham (Mars Institute / SFU) is continuing to place satellite imagery into the traverse management systems for the expedition, to help guide them through to Cambridge Bay.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 11:04 PM

The Northwest Passage Expedition team spent a great night in the Moon-1 Humvee Rover by the coast of a small island. At 7:30 Local (6:30PT) Joe Amarualik (Resolute Bay) and John W. Schutt (Mars Institute) headed back to Kugluktuk for some more fuel for all of the vehicles, where they arrived safely. Later this afternoon, once Joe and John return, the NWP team will head off towards Cambridge Bay, aiming for an area of possible smooth ice seen in Radarsat-2 images uplinked previously from Dr Stephen Braham (Mars Institute / SFU) at Mission Support. The team is in great spirits and looking forward to the next leg of the trip.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)

This map will be updated as radio checks come in from the expedition team.

April 12 - 15:30 PT Update

Posted by Marc Boucher at 9:25 PM

The Expedition field team checked in with Mission Support at 17:15 PT, and had a great first day's traverse along the Northwest Passage! They have reached 50km East of their starting point, Kugluktuk. They are stopping for the night, after driving approximately the distance expected for the first day. The sea ice is presently covered with soft snow. The Moon-1 Humvee Rover's tracks have no problems with this, but it increases fuel consumption. The entire Northwest Passage Drive Expedition team, both the Traverse Team and Mission Support, will continue to monitor fuel usage to ensure that we have enough resources available for each segment of the NWP traverse. The crew is in good spirits, the weather is (relatively) warm and comfortable, and they are looking forward to a great evening, and some sleep.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 2:14 AM

photo credit: Mars Institute / Haughton-Mars Project / Northwest Passage Drive Expedition, © 2009 Mars Institute

At 10:15 AM Mountain Time today the Northwest Passage Drive Expedition left Kugluktuk on their first leg of the expedition. Their current location is 67 deg 49.968 min N 115 deg 01.192 min W.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 1:42 AM | Comments (0)

The Northwest Passage Drive Expedition Field Team:

• Expedition Lead, Humvee Commander: Dr Pascal Lee (Mars Institute, SETI Institute, NASA ARC)
• Expedition Field Guide, Humvee Pilot: John W. Schutt (Mars Institute)
• Expedition Scout, Snowmobile Pilot: Joe Amarualik (Resolute Bay)
• Expedition Mechanic, Snowmobile Pilot: Jesse Weaver (Mars Institute)
• Expedition Cameraman: Mark Carroll (Jules Verne Adventures)

From left to right: Jesse Weaver, Dr Pascal Lee, Joe Amarualik, Mark Carroll, and John W. Schutt. photo credit: Mars Institute / Haughton-Mars Project / Northwest Passage Drive Expedition © 2009 Mars Institute

Posted by Elaine Walker at 4:30 PM | Comments (0)

photo credit: Mars Institute / Haughton-Mars Project / Northwest Passage Drive Expedition, © 2009 Mars Institute

The Moon-1 Humvee Rover will be flown tomorrow from Yellowknife to Kugluktuk, the starting point of the Northwest Passage Drive Expedition, on board a First Air C-130 Hercules transport plane. The maximum height that can be accomodated on board the C-130 at the planned location for the Humvee is 292.1 cm (115 inches). The Moon-1 on tracks with roof rack is 2.5 cm (1 inch) too tall. John W. Schutt (Expedition Field Guide and Humvee Pilot, Mars Institute) unbolted its roof rack to bring the total height of the vehicle on tracks from 294.6 cm (116 inches) down to 271.8 cm (107 inches). All equipment and supplies were inventoried one more time in preparation for tomorrow's airlift.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 5:30 PM

photo credit: Mars Institute / Haughton-Mars Project / Northwest Passage Drive Expedition, © 2009 Mars Institute

Photo Set: April 6, 2009

Posted by Elaine Walker at 7:43 PM

The 2009 Northwest Passage Drive Expedition team will fly from Vancouver to Edmonton today then fly to Yellowknife tomorrow and on Thursday fly with the Moon-1 Humvee Rover and all their gear on a First Air C-130 flight to Kugluktuk in preparation for the start of the Northwest Passage drive. First Air is one of the expedition sponsors and we are very grateful for their support.

In the coming days we'll update the web site with a frequently asked questions section along with background material on the expedition. Once the drive gets started you'll also be able to follow the progress of the team from the daily updated map we'll have.

This map shows the flight segments the expedition team will take to reach their starting point of Kugluktuk, Nunavut. The green pin cushions marks their final destination, the HMP Research Station on Devon Island next to the Haughton crater.

Posted by Marc Boucher at 1:14 PM | Comments (0)