Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. On January 29, Minister of Environment and Tourism B.Bat-Erdene held a meeting with ‘MARS V’ project team members.

‘MARS V’ project initiator S.Erdenebold and CEO G.Amgalanbaatar introduced the project and its current state. Launched three years ago, the project continues to carry out works for studies and research as well as international cooperation.

Consisting of three main parts, the ‘MARS V’ project aims to establish an international center for science and technology.

Firstly, a training academy for Mars space flight is planned to be established. As astronauts will be sent to an environment that is entirely different compared to Earth, the issue concerning adapting to the environment is crucial. Currently, the Gobi Desert of Mongolia is considered the most suitable to create a simulation of the way of life on Mars. Thus, it is planned to establish an academy to train and prepare those that will be sent to the planet. 

Secondly, a ‘Space Studies Free Zone’ is planned to be established for companies preparing to test their space technology.

And thirdly, the issue concerning infrastructure for the aforementioned works - in other words, a satellite city is planned to be established. With this, the ‘MARS V’ project will be developing various special programs for those interested in Mars throughout its three main parts.

During the meeting, ‘MARS V’ project initiator S.Erdenebold said, “Studying Mars has become a goal for humankind, attracting global attention. Thus, it became necessary to prepare astronauts at a location that is the most similar to the planet. We believe that this is a new opportunity to globally promote Mongolia. Out of the 24 deserts throughout the world, the one that is the most similar to Mars is the Mongolian Gobi Desert.”

Currently, the project is focusing on jointly conducting studies and research with international organizations and developing foreign relations. “As the ‘MARS V’ project has joined some of the biggest organizations that have been established for studying Mars, leaders of certain countries and space studies organizations have already begun to be interested in our project,” said the project team.

As there are also opportunities to bring the development of the tourism sector to a new level through tourism based on Mars studies, they then requested policy support from the Ministry in resolving the project’s pressing issues, such as land allocation for establishing the free zone and its corresponding regulations. 

During the meeting, Minister of Environment and Tourism B.Bat-Erdene highlighted that he will support the project as it aligns with the Government’s policy on tourism, and put forth a suggestion for the ‘MARS V’ project team to become a part of the professional committee on tourism development that will soon be established under the Minister.