Join Mars Society Executive Director James Burk and South Seattle College President Dr. Monica Brown on Tuesday, August 18th (5:00 pm PT) for a special episode of the Red Planet Live podcast, hosted by Ashton Zeth, as they discuss the Society’s new 10-year partnership with the College to build a Moon-Mars analog research station in the Pacific Northwest.

The conversation will explore how this ambitious collaboration will establish a new center for analog astronaut training, scientific research, workforce development, and STEM education, while creating pathways for students to gain hands-on experience through internships, capstone projects, and a new space studies curriculum. The station is envisioned as a regional hub supporting NASA’s Artemis-era goals and future human missions to the Moon and Mars.

Dr. Brown serves as President of South Seattle College, where she is leading initiatives to expand STEM education, workforce development, and partnerships with industry and research organizations. She has been instrumental in launching the college’s collaboration with the Mars Society to develop a Moon-Mars analog research station in the Pacific Northwest, creating new opportunities for students to participate in hands-on space research, engineering, and technology programs.

In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Mars Society, Mr. Burk oversees its global analog research program, including the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah and the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station in northern Canada. A veteran analog astronaut and crew commander, he is also leading the development of the Mars Technology Institute, advancing technologies and research to support future human missions to the Moon and Mars.

To learn more about our RPL podcast and how to register for the upcoming show, please click here.

Red Planet Live is a monthly live podcast from The Mars Society – Ashton Zeth interviews the people instrumental in exploring and settling Mars. The show will focus on a wide variety of topics, including Mars and space exploration, STEM education, technology, women in science, astrobiology, the aerospace industry, and much more, with exciting and open discussions involving experts in these respective fields.