Formation of the Mars Institute Announced
Members of the founding Board of Directors of the Mars
Institute formally unveiled the new organization today at the World Space Congress.
The Mars Institute is a California-based nonprofit corporation whose stated purpose is to
further the scientific study, exploration, and public understanding of Mars. The Institute
intends to:
- develop, implement and support high quality peer-reviewed scientific research about the planet Mars, its present nature, and its climatic, geologic and possibly biologic evolution, including through investigations of similarities and differences between the Earth, Mars and other planets;
- analyze, develop and implement concepts, technologies and strategies for the exploration of Mars, by robotic systems and humans;
- inform the public on the results, progress, and benefits to humankind of Mars exploration through the development and implementation of educational and public outreach activities.
A new century of scientific knowledge and exploration of Mars has begun, with the current
planning and prospect of many new missions to be launched to the Red Planet. The Mars Institute
was created to respond to this opportunity and, out of a need strongly felt by its initiators,
to establish an independent nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to focus on advancing
the scientific study and exploration of Mars, with a central commitment to conducting high
quality peer-reviewed research, and on sharing knowledge and experiences of Mars exploration
with students and the general public worldwide. The Mars Institute will strive to provide
leadership as the premier international non-governmental organization for the peaceful
advancement of these goals.
The Mars Institute’s founding Board of Directors includes Dr. Pascal Lee of the SETI Institute,
Dr. Charles Cockell of the British Antarctic Survey, and Mr. Marc Boucher of SpaceRef
Interactive, Inc.
“The exploration of Mars is the one of the most exciting combined scientific, technical, and
public-inspiring challenges of our time. It is fitting that an international organization be
dedicated to advancing Mars research and the peaceful exploration of our planetary neighbor”,
said Lee. The Mars Institute will build in particular on Leeís research experience as Principal
Investigator of the NASA Haughton-Mars Project.
“Every time humanity has embarked on a new path of scientific research and exploration, the
need for an organization to focus on meeting the new scientific and technical challenges that
appear, and on communicating the results of these efforts, has arisen. Such was the case for
the exploration of Earth’s oceans, its moon, and other frontiers. Now, with the founding of the
Mars Institute, the same can be said for the exploration of Mars”, said Boucher.
Today, the Mars Institute also unveiled its inaugural Board of Advisors. Mars Institute
Advisors provide independent advice to the Board of Directors on a wide variety of matters
concerning the development and implementation of Mars science, exploration, and education and
public outreach.
Emeritus Advisors
- Audouin Dollfus, Ph.D., Observatoire de Paris-Meudon
- Frank Drake, Ph.D., Chairman, SETI Institute
Science and Exploration Advisors
- Stephen Braham, Ph.D., Simon Fraser University
- David Crown, Ph.D., Planetary Science Institute
- Stephen J. Hoffman, Ph.D., Science Applications International Corporation
- Jeffrey E. Moersch, Ph.D., University of Tennessee
- Michael Sims, Ph.D., NASA Ames Research Center
- Peter Smith, University of Arizona
- Steven W. Squyres, Ph.D., Cornell University
- Carol Stoker, Ph.D., NASA Ames Research Center
- Peter C. Thomas, Ph.D., Cornell University
Outreach Advisors
- Kim Stanley Robinson, M.A., Author
Student Advisors
- Darlene Lim, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Toronto
- Paul Wooster, Undergraduate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Mars Institute will be managed on a day to day basis by Mr. Marc Boucher, the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Pascal Lee serves as Chairman of the
Board, and Dr. Charles Cockell is the Institute’s Vice-President. The Mars Institute is
currently pursuing a 5 Year Development Plan (2003-2007) which will guide the Instituteís
initial development and create a solid basis for its future growth. The Mars Institute will be
funded through both public and private sources.
For more information, visit: http://www.marsinstitute.info
Contacts
Marc Boucher, CEO
mboucher@marsinstitute.info
1+ (250) 213-7832
Pascal Lee, Chairman
plee@marsinstitute.info
1+ (408) 666-2001
