The weather is still good and the construction team has been working on the first and second floors. They are leaving a portion of the floors unfinished so we can pull the dome panels through the floors.

The construction team got off to a slower start then usual after a late night of relaxing. When they did get out to the site they were very productive and put in the first floor and started the second floor. They had to wait awhile in the afternoon for more lumber to come in from Resolute. Once you’re inside the habitat you really get a sense of how big it really it is. I just imagine this “simulated craft” landing on Mars and I’m in awe. I’d love to be a part of that.

Today the last six side panels were erected. We now have a complete shell bolted together. It was quite a sight to see. I was not sure it could all be done today. Yesterday four panels went up and the day before two panels. So getting six up seemed like it might be stretching things. However with the construction technique developed by Frank Schubert and Matt Smola everything went quickly, smoothly and above all else safely.

The habitat is really taking shape. Several construction techniques have been tried but now one that works well is in place. Each panel is individually being put into place. Today the construction crew put up another four panels. It’s a slow but steady process. As each panel goes up the excitement grows. This is really happening. It even looks like we will have the opportunity to do the first simulation. The shakedown simulation will probably only last a week but it will give us enough time to get a feeling of what it’s like to live in it.

Today was the day. The first set of habitat panels went up. You could see how excited people were. This was the moment all of us here and all of the Mars Society members and supporters have worked for. I’ve been up here for three weeks now and this is the first time I let myself get really excited and had the adrenaline pumping. It was a moment I won’t soon forget. I know what this means to me and to so many other people. We all want humans to go to Mars and if this effort can help make that happen then all of us will have accomplished something big. I’ve read Usenet postings that were flaming this project and heard people snicker about the Mars Society and its goals. People have not been taking us seriously. Well, to all of the members out there reading this, stand tall and proud. What we are doing is important.

The habitat is actually on schedule. While we may have lost the floor panels and other equipment, through improvisation and hard work we are actually on schedule. The habitat was originally supposed to be inaugurated July 20th or the 21st. If all the worked that is planned for tomorrow is done and our new erection method passes review then by Friday or Saturday the habitat could be standing. The weather is a factor, but tomorrow is supposed to be nice and so is Saturday. There are a lot of ifs here but compared to where we were a week ago this is great progress.

We got back to base camp and got word that Robert Zubrin, President of the Mars Society was due to arrive at 21:30. This would be our first opportunity to meet in person since the failed paradrop to go over the plan that is being formulated to try and proceed with construction of the habitat this year. When he arrived, Pascal Lee, Mars Society Project Scientist and the NASA HMP Lead, myself, a board member, and Frank Schubert a very experienced construction contractor sat down to discuss the plan that had been formulated along with the construction crews input. We had a good discussion and we hope that within a day or two we can have a decision on what will be done.

Personal Journal, Marc Boucher, Base Camp, Devon Island, July 14, 2000. Hello from the high arctic. This is the first entry into my journal. I’ll be relaying to you my thoughts and impressions of this incredible part of our world as well as informing you about the progress of the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station.

The last of a series of five paradrops delivering construction materials and equipment for the Mars Society’s Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station failed to place its cargo safely on Devon Island this weekend. The first four paradrops of station elements went smoothly and delivered the structure’s wall, dome sections and other equipment. An unknown mechanical failure during the fifth drop resulted in heavy damage to the station’s floor panels and accompanying construction equipment. Said Mars Society president Robert Zubrin of the mishap, “Paradrops are by nature a risky business. It’s a setback, but we’re already examining our options for recovering from it.”

The primary components of the Mars Society’s Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station have been successfully dropped by parachute onto Devon Island. The low-altitude air drop was done by two US Marine Corp Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft from Marine Aircraft Group 41 in Fort Worth Texas. The cargo was prepared for air delivery by Marines from the 4th Air Delivery Platoon based in San Jose. A tremendous amount of coordination and work went into the construction, preparation and loading of the cargo, and the Marines involved did what was necessary to ensure the cargo was ready for a safe delivery. Operating in fair weather, the Marines achieved their objective of safely and precisely landing the palettes containing the components of the Flashline Station on the 150 meter-wide Haynes Ridge location where the station will be built. The cargo was delivered successfully. Commenting on the smoothness of the operation, Lt.Col Tom Duncavage, a Marine reservist and NASA manager who commanded the operation said; “I could not be more proud of these Marines for their determination, skill and attention to duty. These loads were difficult and the first of their kind. Marines like to be first, and we thrive in the environment of the difficult. Like the science team on station here at Devon, we are all proud to be part of the Haughton-Mars project.”