Read Chapter One

Whump! Whump! Whump!
The NASA helicopter soared over the Mojave Desert. Inside sat the Wilson Family, aka the Elevator Family, aka Crew Wilson. Walter Wilson sat in front with the NASA pilot, Tom. Winona Wilson, and the ten-year-old twins, Whitney and Winslow Wilson sat squeezed in the back seat. The Wilson’s scruffy gray dog, Cat, lay on their laps. His long bushy tail swished back and forth.
“Ruff! Ruff!” went the dog
Whump! Whump! Whump! went the chopper blades.
Everyone in the helicopter wore a blue jumpsuit with a NASA patch on the shoulder and a name tag above the front pocket. They also wore headphones to hear each other over the whir of the helicopter prop.
Whump! Whump! Whump!
“Excellent whirlybird you have, Tom,” Walter said.
“Compact and cozy,” said Winona.
“The Mojave Desert is much bigger than I imagined,” Whitney said.
“Not a road or building in sight,” said Winslow.
The pilot nodded. “That’s why NASA chose this location for the Mars Desert Research Station,” he said. “Not only is it remote, but the rocky terrain is similar to the land on Mars.”
“The perfect place for astronauts to practice Mars colony simulations,” said Whitney
“Fantabulous,” said Winslow.
“Only the best,” said Walter.
“And that’s why NASA chose the Elevator Family for this six-month Family-on-Mars sim mission,” Tom said. “Your family is famous for being independent, and working well together. Your role-playing will give NASA a taste of what families may face when living on Mars.”
“Living together in small spaces is our specialty,” said Walter.
“That’s what the Wilsons enjoy doing,” said Winona.
“We’ve been looking forward to this trip ever since NASA gave us the call,” said Winslow.
“I can’t wait to see our new home,” said Whitney.
“Well, there it is,” said the pilot. “The Mars Desert Research Station, the MDRS.”
The helicopter flew over three geodesic domes, one large, one medium-sized, and one small with a glass top. Round white tunnels connected the domes.
Tom circled the helicopter around the site.
Behind the domes stood a water tank, a dozen solar panels, and a spinning wind turbine. A small four-wheeled vehicle was parked beside the solar panels.
“The largest dome is the Living Dome,” said the pilot. “The middle one is the Science Lab, and the smallest dome with the clear roof is the Green Lab, the greenhouse where the last crew started growing vegetables for you.”
“Fantabulous,” said Winslow.
“The station is not too large and not too small,” said Whitney.
“It’s just right,” said Winona.
“Only the best,” said Walter.
“Ruff! Ruff!” went Cat, wagging his long bushy tail.
The helicopter landed in front of the largest dome. Tom stepped out onto the hard-dusty ground. The four Wilsons, each wearing a small backpack, joined him. The air was dry, still, and hot.
“Crew Wilson, welcome to your home for the next six months.,” the pilot said. “You’ve been well-trained and know how to use all the equipment at the MDRS.”
“We certainly have,” said Walter. “The Wilsons know this station better than we know our own tiny home.”
“As soon as you enter the airlock to the living quarters, your Mars role-playing begins,” said Tom. “Whenever you are outside these domes, you will be expected to wear the spacesuits you’ll find inside. There’s even a suit for your dog.”
Ruff! Ruff! went Cat.
“Excellent,” said Walter.
“Of course, the gravity and air here can’t be duplicated with those on Mars,” said Tom. “But NASA hopes everything else at the MDRS to be a true simulated Mars habitat like the one the first colonists on Mars will experience.”
“No ordering out for pizza,” said Winslow.
“Or streaming videos,” said Whitney.
“There is radio communication here as there will be on Mars,” the pilot said. “But calls between the MDRS and NASA headquarters will be delayed thirteen minutes as they would between the red planet and Earth.”
“Oh, this is exciting,” said Winona.
“Can’t wait to start,” Whitney.
“Crew Wilson, I wish you luck,” said Tom. “You are now officially NASA team members.” He walked up to Walter and saluted, “You are Officer Walter, Crew Wilson Commander.”
He stepped up to Winona and saluted. “Officer Winona, you are the Health and Safety Officer.”
Finally, the pilot saluted the twins and said, “Officer Whitney, you are Chief Engineer of this mission, and Officer Winslow, you’re Chief Scientist.”
“Ruff! Ruff!” went Cat.
Tom laughed and saluted the dog. “And Officer Cat, you are in charge of Crew Wilson’s security.
“Ruff! Ruff!”
“Crew Wilson, you may now enter the Mars Desert Research Station and begin your six-month sim mission,” said Tom
“On to Mars,” said Walter.
“Dibs on the top bunk,” said Whitney.