The mission control center in Austria is the brain of the Austromars mission - led by a flight director the flight controllers are caring for the safety of the mission, instructing the crew, filing the continuous stream of scientific data and observing the progress of the expedition.

MCC and crew are connected through a permanent internet connection via satellite, but during simulation communication is only possible once per day for 90 minutes with a 10 minute time delay. Technicians, psychologists, medics and scientists provide a smooth operation of Austromars.

"The ghosts of Mars": On-site Support (OSS)

Additionally to the MCC the on-site support in Hanksville is responsible for realisation of so-called mission anomalies: for example if MCC plans the "failure" of an essential part of the life support system OSS arranges the "sabotage" on the scene. Other OSS tasks include the placing of samples and support in the case of real emergencies like the breakdown of an non working all terrain vehicle during the night ...