Status 08/01/09 We are pleased to announce that production has been started for Mars Colony Online This will be the 3rd version in the series and will provide a colony simulation that runs 24/7 and can have as many as 64 users online per server. Here is a link to the Mars Online Page

Status 06/29/09  - We have released the Mars Colony Mission 2 concept demo !! GET IT HERE We have logged hundreds of man hours on the planet dealing with the farm and the rover. Head over to the Blog and the Forums for more information. There are some  Screenshots at the bottom of this page and click on the "Tech Info button at the top or follow this link to the doc files for the simulator. We will be updating the doc/help files at the end of the month to reflect the farmunit data. Thanks to all the testers that helped get Mission 2 on it's legs and prep for Mission 3 will start soon.


The Planet - We picked a landing site on Mars for this version of the simulation. The planet is Mars, the ground is Iron Oxide and Silica, the atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide with trace gases and you wont survive too long outside without EVA gear.

Mission 1 - The first mission in the series will be to unpack the COHAB  ( Command and Habitation)  unit and set up a mission command center. The team will have to do a geological survey of the landing site. This survey includes obtaining Ground Penetrating Radar  data, soil sample analysis, geologic material recovery, core samples and a algae food experiment. The main purpose of this mission is to find and extract water. If the team finds water here we can start planning mission 2. The rover Zeus is in the vicinity of the landing site and as a tertiary mission objective we need to recover the data recorders. Obviously survival and return to Earth is a primary concern. Equipment will break down and the team will have to maintain systems to ensure success.

Weather - The new weather system is in place and uses the barometer for storms. When the barometric pressure drops,  the CO2 condenses, the wind speed increases, clouds form, temperature drops,  fogs and dust blow around. The storm may last for a while or not. The weather is unpredictable.

Computers - Users can access the COHAB computers now to get status of various pieces of equipment at the site. Most all of the equipment will send telemetry data to this computer to help montior operations. There is a map system that allows users to see GPR sites, drill sites and sample locations.

Player Health - Each player has a overall health, stamina system. You have to eat and drink or your health will degrade. If you go outside in a storm you will be affected much more than if you sit inside. Health is also affected by the temperature and oxygen mixture  inside the COHAB. There is medicine for users that are in dire need of health regeneration. Changing the oxygen levels inside the COHAB will also aid in regeneration but comes at the cost of depleating O2 supplies.

COHAB Unit - The main habitation unit has a supply of oxygen with a mixture valve and uses a CO2 scrubber to clean the air. Power is supplied via Photo Voltaic cells and stored in a battery system. There is a heater inside to keep above freezing and a thermostat to regulate the temperature. All things in the COHAB unit will consume power so be careful to turn off the lights!!

Water separation unit - You just add water. This unit should supply oxygen and hydrogen to the mission.

Algae Tanks - Have been added to the mission to help make some food for our travelers. The unit has a supply of media for algae growth and we can use the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to help with growth. The unit produces a small quantity of oxygen but dont count on it for survival. Just add water and you watch it grow!

ERV Fuel Generator - The fuel generation system for the Earth Return Vehicle is up and running. It uses hydrogen and carbon dioxide to generate the fuel necessary for the return to earth. I just hope it is in good running condition.....

Ground Samples - We have a soil sampler on the mission and you will have to go gather samples from the landing site so we have a better idea of the geology in the area. We are trying to determine which sample system to use. So far the LIBS system looks like a good bet. We require the team to take core samples of any minerals they find below the surface. These cores will help us determine what should be sent on later missions.

Photo Voltaic Array - There are 8 panels set up in 2 groups of 4. These panels will get dirty during storms and users will have to keep them clean. Any of the 8 panels could fail and users will have to repair them as necessary to keep the power grid in a charging state.

Earth Return Vehicle - This is how you will get home. It has landed on the planet and we hope the fuel generator is working. Once the mission is over you get in the ERV and launch. In case anything goes wrong in the first few weeks this will be your emergency escape so take care of it.

Drill - This equipment is used to drill holes into the surface to get sample data from below ground. The well attachment drills the hole and adds a heated well casing for extracting water from below the surface.