In part four of her field diary, Margarita Marinova describes the process of testing spacesuits and a hand-held drill in the harsh conditions of Antarctica. The work at Marambio base is helping scientists prepare for future human missions to Mars. The tools they are developing will be used by explorers to search for signs of past or present life on the red planet.

This project was made possible with support from the NASAAstrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) program and the University of North Dakota. Travel from Buenos Aires to Marambio and accommodation in Marambio was provided by the Argentinian Air Force and Argentinian Antarctic Program.