The Mars Desert Research Station, in Hanksville, Utah.

Auriane Canesse, crew geologist and health and safety officer, of Crew 153, takes magnetic readings of the ground using a large rectangular apparatus near the Mars Desert Research Station.

Members of the crew return to base.

Florian Commans, right, crew biologist, and Bastien Mathurin, crew commander, of Crew 153, wearing space helmets emerge from a small circular structure and step onto red-toned, barren land at the Mars Desert Research Station.

Bastien Mathurin, crew commander, of Crew 153, wearing his space helmet and large square backpack emerges from the Mars Desert Research Station.

A member of the crew hikes up a hill in Utah which simulates a lonely red planet.

Home, sweet home on "Mars."

Crew members travel on ATVs, standing in for space vehicles, near the Mars Desert Research Station.

Geologic research at the Utah Mars station.

Florian Commans, crew biologist and greenhab officier, of Crew 153, studies a collection of rocks near the Mars Desert Research Station.

Florian Commans, crew biologist, of Crew 153, studies bacteria from a soil sample.

Auriane Canesse, crew geologist and health and safety officer, of Crew 153, hikes up a hill and takes magnetic readings of the ground using a large rectangular apparatus near the Mars Desert Research Station.