\nFrom cartoonist to Mars researcher<\/p>\n
A Cochrane cartoonist is heading to \u201cMars\u201d \u2014 and he\u2019s taking his sketchbook with him.<\/p>\n
Dan Barnfield, creator and host of the upcoming kids\u2019 cartooning series BLAST OFF!, has been invited to join an educator crew at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah next month.<\/p>\n
Barnfield will take part in the Mars Society\u2019s Spaceward Bound program from Oct. 12 to 16, joining Crew 327 at the research station near Hanksville.<\/p>\n
Dan Barnfield\u2019s field work to help develop his children\u2019s series BLAST OFF! included capturing the Cochrane Outhouse Race. Here, he chats with Jock Wilson, left, and Jon Cornish, the emcees of this year\u2019s event. Cochrane Now\/Noel Edey
\nFrom cartoonist to Mars researcher<\/p>\n
The program uses the Utah desert as a Mars analog, with participants conducting scientific research, field observations and simulations designed to replicate aspects of working and living on the Martian surface.<\/p>\n
Barnfield expects to take part in lab research, soil sampling and field observations. He\u2019ll also wear a simulated spacesuit and operate a rover, while some activities will be conducted under conditions designed to mirror the restrictions astronauts would face on Mars.<\/p>\n
It includes real-life procedures such as waiting in an airlock before heading outside, along with the communication delays that would come with living on Mars.<\/p>\n
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\u201cFor example, if I was talking to my wife and she asked me how it was going, I would have to wait 45 minutes to get that message, and then she would have to wait another 45 minutes for me to say, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Barnfield learned about the program while researching space travel and scientific studies for BLAST OFF!.<\/p>\n
The Mars Society\u2019s annual educator program is generally aimed at kindergarten to Grade 12 educators, but Barnfield decided to make an unusual pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a cartoonist. This is what I do. I would love the opportunity to go with your educators just this round,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The response was positive, opening the door for him to join the October crew.<\/p>\n
An unexpected journey for BLAST OFF!<\/p>\n
The experience is also a real-world extension of the fictional world Barnfield has been building for the kids\u2019 cartooning show, which is funded through TELUS STORYHIVE.<\/p>\n
The series follows Barnfield and his crew on an asteroid colony called Bunkhouse.<\/p>\n
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![\"blast\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/BlastOff_SH.jpg\"\/)
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