Washington: The MARS-1 Humvee Rover, a concept vehicle designed to move across the surface of Mars just crossed a hazardous 23 miles of frozen Arctic sea on its way to a scientific base station dubbed "Mars on Earth" on May 11.

The world's largest uninhabited island, Devon is a polar desert -- cold, rocky, windy, dusty and dry. Though not as cold as the Red Planet -- Devon Island's average temperature is 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to Mars' minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit -- Devon is Earth's closest analogue. Hence its nickname, "Mars on Earth."

To keep the vehicle as light as possible, the rover was emptied of equipment and manned only by the driver. As a safety precaution, the driver wore a floatation suit, and his door was removed for a quick exit. The other three members of the team drove snowmobiles, two in front to scout the ice, and another behind to check for cracks left in the rover's wake.

The expedition delivered the MARS-1 rover to NASA's Haughton-Mars Project, which operates a field research station on Devon Island. The rover is based on an AM General Humvee military ambulance. It is equipped with large rubber tracks from Mattracks to spread its weight on ice and to protect the island's environment.

The vehicle is designed to support a four-person crew for several days in the field. It has a tall rear cab for living and working, and a pair of wall-mounted bunks. This summer, when Lee and his colleagues return to Devon Island, the rover will be fitted with a satellite link and a wide array of scientific instruments.

"It's a very capable vehicle," said Lee. "It felt like this was a vehicle that could conquer anything."

ANI