The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is the largest and longest-running Mars surface simulation facility in the world, and is one of two simulated Mars analog habitats owned and operated by the Mars Society.Established in 2001, the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is a research facility used by crews to carry out important analog studies and field testing to help prepare humanity for the eventual human exploration of the Red Planet..Also is a closed research facility and is not open to the public for visits.