Alongside conducting these environmental science studies, the second part of the expedition's research will involve studying the expedition members themselves under a human science protocol titled "White Mars" whilst enduring the world's most extreme conditions.

BBC: Viewpoint: The last great polar challenge

Fairways and greens may yield evidence to show what happened to the 118 colonists who vanished after the man who led a second expedition and also made the original map, John White, left for England to fetch supplies in 1587.

ECONOMIST: The mystery of Roanoke

In September Williams will assume command of the station's Expedition 33 crew, becoming only the second woman to lead the orbiting outpost.

MSN: High score assured: Astronaut doing triathlon �� from space

In 1999, after his second solo expedition across the Sahara, he realized he had to do something to help the people affected by desertification.

CNN: Sahara explorer taming the desert

For Williams, this was her second long-term mission aboard the Station, and her first as Expedition commander.

FORBES: Space Station Astronauts Land Safely On Earth