Welcome to SAM, a Space Analog for the Moon and Mars.

WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AGAIN TO WORK ON THE SAM PROJECT!  

SAM is a Space Analog for the Moon and Mars. This hi-fidelity, hermetically sealed analog and research center is composed of a living quarters for four inhabitants, airlock and hub, mechanical and bio-regenerative life support, and greenhouse with temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide level controls.

​When complete, SAM will include a half-acre Mars yard for pressure suit, tool use, and rover tests. SAM is not another open air analog—this is as close as you can get to living on Mars without reducing gravity or dropping the temperature to −100°C.

A Space Analog for the Moon and Mars, or SAM is being built around the Test Module coupled to an airlock, pressurized corridor and crew quarters. Adjacent to SAM is a massive, half acre Mars yard which will support challenges in terrain mapping and navigation, EVA pressure suit and tool use studies, a gravity off-set rig, and rover tests and competitions.

There is no single-run experiment that results in the ideal solution for providing breathable air, recycled water, food and waste reprocessing. Rather, we will see an unfolding of experiments, findings, and prototypes for decades to come. Much as farming evolved from the art of crop rotation to the science of genetically modified organisms, living on the Moon, Mars, and in free space will demand constant improvements in our systems as more humans move to off-world homes.

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THE SAM TEAM ON SELECTING AGTP WINDOW FILMS:
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“WE THANK GREG SPENCER, OWNER OF AGTP WINDOW FILMS FROM TUCSON, ARIZONA FOR PROVISION OF THE WINDOW FILM PACKET USED IN THIS COMPARATIVE STUDY. WE DISCOVERED GREG THROUGH A LOCAL SEARCH AND SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED THAT HIS COMPANY WAS ON-SITE AT BIOSPHERE 2 IN 1991 HAVING APPLIED FILMS TO THE BIOSPHERE APARTMENT WINDOWS AND CAMPUS FACILITIES. WITH MORE THAN 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE, WE ARE NOT SURPRISED THAT MOST OF THOSE APPLICATIONS ARE YET IN PLACE AND HOLDING! GREG HAS GENEROUSLY DONATED HIS TIME AND MATERIALS FOR THIS UNIQUE PROJECT. WE WELCOME THE RETURN OF “GREG THE TINTER” TO BIOSPHERE 2, AND ARE EAGER FOR HIS HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT TO BE INSTALLED AT SAM. THANK YOU!” –KAI STAATS, DIRECTOR OF SAM

​SAM Construction – Matching the sunlight on Mars

In March we selected a window tint to apply to the lower windows in order to reduce the visible light transmission to that of ambient light on Mars. Owner of Tucson based AGTP Window Films Greg Spencer and his son Tristen arrived at 9:30 am Tuesday morning and within minutes were engaged in prepping, cleaning, and applying large sheets of the window film. As with hanging dry wall, this is one of those tasks that the experts make look easy. Yet, if ever you have tried to do it yourself, you quickly learn the real challenges.
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Greg and Tristen pealed, soaked, and placed thirteen sheets of window film, then used a squeegee to remove all air bubbles before the adhesive set and dried. The end result is simple beautiful. Not only did we achieve the desired, reduced ambient interior light, but these thirty year old windows now appear brand new. The film selected provides a reduction of in light with a minimal reflection such that when research team members are working inside of the SAM greenhouse at night they can yet enjoy the Moon and starlight outside.