Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, interviews Chris Hoftun Chairman and co-founder of the Mars Institute Norway, and Program Manager Space Systems at Zaptec where he is currently investigating a new plasma drilling system under development (PLASMARS).

We talked about his trip to Devon Island for a Mars science research trip, learned about plasma drilling for earth, asteroids, Mars and its moons, as well as talked about what it takes to pursue your passion and help realize a greater vision for humanity.

Christopher Hoftun has a Master of Science from the University of Stavanger, Norway. He is the chairman and co-founder of the Mars Institute Norway, after he conducted a study of planetary drilling at the Mars Institute, at NASA Ames Research Center, California, USA. He is also the Program Manager Space Systems at Zaptec, HQ in Stavanger, Norway, and based at NASA Ames Research Center. He is currently investigating a new plasma drilling system under development (PLASMARS) by the Zaptec, Inc company and the European Space Agency (ESA). The plasma- drill that will enable deep subsurface access on asteroids, Mars and its moons for in-situ science investigation sampling and exploration.

Drilling is anticipated to be an important activity in the future exploration of the Moon, Mars, and of small bodies, such as asteroids and the moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos. NASA and ESA have identified subsurface access as a significant science and exploration priority for planetary missions in the near-future, and are pursuing technologies necessary to enable such access. The PLASMARS project ́s purpose is to develop prototypes and field-test robotic plasma drilling technologies for missions to the Moon, asteroids, and Mars in the 2021-2025 time.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info