Dust Tests for Mars

At a distance of 225 million kilometers from Earth, Mars is an inhospitable place for humans. So how could people live there at all? What would habitats need to look like? What could be produced on site? These are the kinds of questions that Bremen-based geophysicist and engineer Christiane Heinicke has been working on for many years. Her research also deals with seemingly mundane issues like dust.

“Dust is a pain,” says Christiane Heinicke. Anyone who has ever pulled out their furniture during spring cleaning will likely agree. On Mars, however, dust can become a serious hazard. Not only is it extremely fine—making it easy to inhale and, in some regions, potentially toxic—it can also contaminate the seals of an airlock in a Martian habitat. If the seals fail, the door may no longer close properly, putting the air supply inside at risk. After all, the Martian atmosphere is about as thin as it is 30 kilometers above Earth. “It’s not breathable and consists almost entirely of CO₂,” Heinicke explains.

Under what conditions could humans survive on Mars and carry out experiments? Heinicke, who holds a doctorate in engineering, has been exploring these questions for years. She became widely known after spending 2015–2016 living under Mars-like conditions in a lava desert in Hawaii as part of a simulated mission. The experience continues to inform her work today at the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at the University of Bremen. Managing dust on the Red Planet is just one aspect of her research.

Keeping the dust out

Despite the harsh conditions on Mars, the existence of microbial life cannot be ruled out. “From a scientific perspective, it would be absolutely fascinating to find traces of life on Mars,” says Heinicke. “But if these highly resilient microbes were to return to Earth with astronauts and survive here, we risk altering—or even destroying—our ecosystems.” So how can dust be kept out? “One option would be a spacesuit that docks directly to the exterior wall of the airlock module. That way, instead of stepping through a door, I would climb into the suit through the wall and then undock,” she explains. However, multiple such suit ports would be necessary to ensure that all habitat occupants could exit quickly in case of an emergency, such as a fire.

What should habitats on Mars look like?

Listening to Heinicke talk about her research, it quickly becomes clear how meticulously she thinks through scenarios and the potential consequences of a Mars mission. Ever since her 366-day stay during the NASA-funded HI-SEAS IV mission in Hawaii ten years ago, one key question has driven her work: How must habitats on Mars be designed so that people can live and work there over extended periods—and even produce things such as fresh herbs or spare parts for robots?

Although she can imagine traveling to Mars herself one day—and considers it technically feasible within the next 10 to 20 years—her workplace is currently still in Bremen, at ZARM. Her office is located close to the drop tower, a unique large-scale European facility for conducting experiments in microgravity.

Since early 2026, Heinicke has been working as a scientific coordinator in the new Cluster of Excellence “The Mars Perspective,” funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Around 100 researchers are involved, with various departments of the University of Bremen collaborating with local institutes and international partners. The cluster spans disciplines such as engineering, materials science, robotics, communications technology, and psychology.

A laboratory simulating Martian conditions

Heinicke, who has been at ZARM since 2017, considers this interdisciplinary collaboration essential for addressing the complex challenges of a Mars mission. This approach is also reflected in the “Mars Production Facility,” currently in the planning and construction phase—a laboratory designed to simulate Martian conditions and develop sustainable technologies for both space and Earth.

Using vacuum chambers to replicate extreme temperatures and conduct dust tests, the facility will soon enable researchers to test various production systems under harsh conditions—from manufacturing bioplastics using CO₂ to robot-assisted production processes. Starting in 2028, the Cluster of Excellence “The Mars Perspective” is expected to use the facility, which is funded by the EU and the State of Bremen, to develop interdisciplinary solutions for dealing with resource scarcity on Mars.

Preventing boredom through good planning

Beyond infrastructure, Heinicke emphasizes that psychological factors—such as group dynamics, diminishing contact with family and friends, and even boredom—should not be underestimated on a Mars mission. She knows this firsthand from her time in the lava desert.

“In a habitat, everything stays the same: the same colors, the same shapes, the same furniture layout, the same smells. There’s a certain monotony,” says the 40-year-old.

Crew members are also constantly surrounded by the same people in the same environment, which can eventually make it difficult to find engaging topics of conversation. “This constant sameness deprives the brain of the stimulation it needs.” That’s why it is crucial to account for these effects when planning long-duration missions. In particular, crew members such as pilots or doctors may have significant idle time when they are not actively engaged in research tasks. It is important that they can use this time productively.

Heinicke also considers other factors essential for staying healthy over a year in extreme conditions—for example, the ability to grow herbs or lettuce, as the craving for fresh food increases over time. Despite limited space, clear separation between work and leisure areas, as well as between noisy and quiet zones, is equally important. “Sleeping quarters, for instance, shouldn’t be located right next to the treadmill.” Windows are also vital for well-being, although they must be especially robust due to the low atmospheric pressure outside.

Using Mars research to address challenges on Earth

On average, Mars is 225 million kilometers away from Earth. Yet many of the questions researchers are tackling are highly relevant to challenges here on our own planet. “The key issue is energy scarcity. There are no fossil fuels on Mars, and probably no large iron ore deposits either. We have to work with what’s available,” says Heinicke.

Researchers are therefore developing electrochemical processes that can extract iron from regolith—a loose layer of dust, sand, and rock fragments—without requiring large amounts of energy.

Photosynthesis using microbes is another promising approach. This process converts climate-damaging CO₂ into bioplastics without relying on petroleum resources. For Christiane Heinicke, one thing is clear: adopting a Mars perspective is worthwhile—especially for life on Earth.