The Mars Society is the world's largest non-profit space advocacy group dedicated to the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars. Established by Dr. Robert Zubrin and others in 1998, the organization works to educate the public, the media and government of the benefits of exploring the Red Planet and establishing a permanent human presence on Mars. Society activities include advanced Mars analog simulations in Utah and Canada, public outreach and educational programs, chapter meetings (in the U.S. and overseas), privately-funded research, the annual University Rover Challenge and the annual International Mars Society Convention.