The focus of Spaceward Bound is to contribute to the training of the next generation of space explorers by having students and teachers participate in the exploration of scientifically interesting but remote and extreme environments on Earth as analogs for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. The program has been ongoing since 2006.

The program is funded by NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Diretorate (ESDM), and involves expeditions in various Mars analogue locations, but the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), created and operated by the Mars Society, is an integral part of the project, and the Mars Society is cooperating with NASA on this project in other ways. The project now also includes plans for expeditions in Australia in partnership with the Mars Society Australia.

Students who are interesting in participating in MDRS crews in fall 2007 and Winter & Spring 2008 can receive a 500$ travel stipend form the Mars Society as part of the joint NASA/Mars Society Spaceward Bound project. See the call for crew for details.

This program is an example of the dedication of the Mars Society towards the education aspect of of a humans to Mars ideal, as well as a credit to the first class facility that the MDRS has become over the years.

More information can be found at the NASA Spaceward Bound website.