From Tokyo to Mars
Born in Tokyo in 2038, Swedish botanist Eva Eriksson is preparing to leave Earth aboard Utopia on its maiden voyage to Terra Nordica in July 2067. As a Pioneer assigned to Expedition 9, she intends to make Mars her permanent home.
For Eva, the opportunity to establish agriculture on another planet was a major motivation for joining the mission.
"On Earth, we tend to take vegetation for granted. On Mars, every leaf will represent an achievement. The idea that I could help establish the first sustainable growing systems on another planet was something I couldn't pass up."
More Than a Botanist
Now in her third year of preparation, Eva's training extends far beyond her scientific specialization. In addition to botany, she is preparing for secondary duties in uniform services and emergency responsibilities as an EVA support technician.
"I thought I'd spend most of my time working on biology and cultivation systems, but that's only part of it. Everyone has to contribute in several areas. There won't be much room for someone who can only do one thing."
The intensive program also includes emergency procedures, equipment operations, teamwork development, and preparation for life in confined environments.
Lessons from Europa Station
Eva recently returned from a visit to the joint Europa Station, where she gained firsthand insight into daily life aboard a functioning space station.
"What surprised me most was how ordinary everything felt after a while. People were working, eating together, complaining about little things. It wasn't all science and complicated machinery. It was everyday life, just happening in space."
Conversations with station personnel about isolation, privacy, and maintaining routines have given her valuable lessons to bring into the next phase of training.
Six Months at Svalbard
Eva is now preparing to travel to Svalbard for a six-month full-scale mission simulation. The facility will reproduce many of the operational and social challenges expected during the journey and subsequent settlement of Mars.
For half a year, participants will live and work together under simulated mission conditions, handling emergencies, equipment failures, restricted resources, and prolonged isolation.
"The isolation will probably be the hardest part. Knowing that you can't simply go outside or visit your family whenever you want is very different from just talking about it in a classroom."
A New Home, Without a Return Ticket
Unlike rotational personnel, Pioneers such as Eva are committing to an indefinite stay on Mars. It is a decision that comes with considerable personal sacrifices.
"I'm not going to Mars for a holiday or an adventure that ends after a few months. I'm going there to build a life. I want to see a settlement grow into a real community."
Asked what she expects to miss most about Earth, Eva has a simple answer: forests.
"The smell after it rains, the wind moving through the trees, and just being able to walk outside without thinking about air pressure or oxygen. It's a little ironic for a botanist to move to a planet with no forests, isn't it?"
The Countdown to 2067
With Utopia's scheduled launch in July 2067 drawing closer, the mission is beginning to feel less like a distant ambition and more like an approaching reality.
"A few years ago, 2067 seemed like a date in the distant future. Now we're talking about final preparations, personal belongings, and exactly what we'll need during the journey."
For now, Eva's attention remains on Svalbard, where the coming months will test the skills, endurance, and cooperation required to establish a new life on Mars.
"There's still a lot to learn, and Svalbard will be a major test. But for the first time, it really feels like we're getting close."