A Mars Analog Mission to the Flashline Research Station

TESA founder Diallo Wallace served as Mission Commander at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) on Devon Island — one of the most remote and Mars-like environments on Earth. This experience in analog astronautics is a cornerstone of the real-world expertise that shapes TESA's hands-on approach to aerospace education.

Video produced by The Aerospace Corporation.

What Is a Mars Analog Mission?

Mars analog missions place crews in extreme, isolated environments that simulate the conditions astronauts will face on Mars. At the Flashline station on Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic, crew members live under Mars-like constraints — wearing simulated spacesuits for EVAs, managing limited resources, and conducting real scientific research.

Why This Matters for TESA Students

This kind of firsthand experience in space exploration and analog astronautics directly informs how TESA teaches:

• Real-world context — Students learn from an instructor who has lived the challenges of space mission operations
• Mission-driven mindset — Our curriculum emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving under constraints, and engineering resilience
• Inspiration — Seeing what's possible motivates students to push beyond textbook learning

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Want to learn more about our founder's background? Read the full bio.