The International Mars Society, through its Seattle Chapter, and South Seattle College (SSC) have signed a 10-year Memorandum of Agreement establishing a multi-program partnership to build a Moon and Mars analog research station on the South Seattle College campus in West Seattle and create a regional education and workforce pathway for the next generation of aerospace researchers, technicians, and engineers.
The agreement, signed in May 2026 by SSC President Dr. Monica Brown and International Mars Society Executive Director James L. Burk, covers four programs: an analog research station on the SSC campus, a joint space studies curriculum and stackable certificate pathway, a student capstone project and internship program, and a regional workforce pipeline and community engagement effort.
Target opening is the 2027–2028 academic year. Once established, this will be the world’s third dedicated analog research station, after the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah and FMARS in the Canadian Arctic.