NASA’s Desert RATS — or Research and Technology Studies — has concluded two weeks of technology development tests on two of the agency's prototype lunar rovers from the Black Point Lava Flow in Arizona. The studies allow NASA to analyze and refine technologies and procedures in extreme environments on Earth.
The annual studies featured a simulated 14-day mission. Two crew members, an astronaut and a geologist, lived for more than 300 hours inside NASA's prototype Lunar Electric Rover (LER). The explorers scouted the area for features of geological interest, then donned space suits and conducted simulated moonwalks to collect samples. The crew also docked to a simulated habitat, drove the rover across difficult terrain, performed a rescue mission and made a four-day traverse across the lava.
Now that the mission is over, NASA is sharing photos and videos of the LER tests at
NASA.gov. The technology advancements required for space exploration fascinate me, so Desert RATS is right up my alley. Check it out, and let me know what you think. Are you as crazy about space engineering as I am?