The Mars Desert Research Station went operational February 7, 2002 with the first operational crew being led by Mars Society President Robert Zubrin from Feb 7 to Feb 14, after which the hab will be commanded by Mars Society Mission Support Director Tony Muscatello from Feb 14 to Feb 21. The Mars Desert Research Station is located in the desert northwest of Hanksville, Utah. Together with the Mars society’s Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station located on Canada’s Devon Island, it will now provide the means to conduct a year-round program in Mars exploration operations research.