The official science organization of Mars, based in Areopolis. Areopolis itself started as a science station, and when it became more and more a city the Mars Science Institute was established. It combines all the science activities. Currently MSI is engaged in areology, physics, engineering and construction. Areology, the Martian counterpart of terrestrial geology, is currently the primary scientific activity. It is the basic science everyone on Mars needs to be familiar with.

Areological activities:
1. The creation of a Global Areological Map. To accomplish this Areologists are scattered across the planet living as nomads. They use the Standard Areological Fieldwork and Mapping Protocol, designed by 'The First'. Only when mapping is finished terraforming may commence on a global scale. The terraforming Effort itself is also investigated at the MSI.
2. Research is done how to create Areological Parks of important places on Mars, such as the northern dune field, protecting them from the terraforming effects.
3. Borings are made into the North and South Polar Layered Deposits and ice caps to determine past climates.

Other activities:
1. Construction design for Mars, implementing the lower gravity.
2. Engineering life support systems, vehicles and equipment. The Mars Shuttle was designed and developed at the MSI.
4. Space elevator design. MSI research helped design the terran Anderson Space Elevator, which is currently being constructed.
5. Nanotechnology. Using nanotechnology to create self-repairing machines.
6. Research into no-delay instant communication (faster than light communication).