In order to help develop key knowledge needed to prepare for human Mars exploration, and to inspire the public by making real the vision of human exploration of Mars, the Mars Society maintains multiple habitats around the world, where simulation missions can take place in conditions as similar as possible to actual Mars missions.  The Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station, brought online in 2000, was the first station created in support of this goal.

          W. Vernon Kramer received his B.S. in 1966 in Mining Engineering from Texas Western College; received his M.S. in 1970 in Geology from the UTEP, and held a post-MS studies at New Mexico School of Mines.  His work in mining and exploration spans 30 years and his work experience extends from being an underground miner to managing international exploration offices.  He has conducted multi-national exploration in Asia, including Afghanistan, Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia, as well as in both North and South America, for metallic and non-metallic commodities such as limestone, gold, oil and gas, copper, and uranium.  Vernon has a passion for teaching and has taught third and fourth grade science.  He is now an instructor of Geology at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas where he is actively recruiting future geologists.