The Mars Desert Research Station requires the support of many talented and experienced people. The Team is made up of three categories: Crew, Mission Support, and Hab Development.

The crew of the Mars Desert Research Station rotates on a regular basis. These are the scientists and engineers who live and work on site within the MDRS. They explore all of the facets of human exploration in a simulated Mars environment.

Mission Support serves the function of what has historically been called Mission Control for previous human space exploration endeavors. Mission Support's role is to be the "Earth-bound" group of experts that supports the work of the MDRS crew. "Support" is a better word than "Control" in the case of a mission to Mars, in which the large physical distance necessitates a great deal of independent operation on the part of a Martian crew.

The final group is Hab Development. Members of this group deal directly with designing and establishing the MDRS. Activities include site surveying, information management, project analysis, mission architecture, construction, and logistics. Many members of the Hab Development group also serve on mission rotations as crew members.