Humanity has long dreamed of the day when we will colonize space. But few of us do anything about it -- probably because most of us are unwilling to live in an isolated greenhouse for thirty-nine days for research purposes. Luckily, we have Ray Collins.

The resident of Fairbanks, Alaska, emerged last week from a greenhouse dubbed "Mars Base Zero." It was part of an ongoing research project by the non-profit space club of which Mr. Collins is a member. During his recent stay at "Mars Base Zero", Mr. Collins survived eating only produce grown inside the greenhouse. And you fans of the Atkins diet planning an eventual trip to Mars may want to think again: he survived mostly on spuds.

We reached Ray Collins in Fairbanks, Alaska.