jsc2022e081983

PHOTO DATE:  10-18-22
LOCATION:  Black Point Lava Flow, Arizona
SUBJECT:   Photographic documentation for Crew-2 analog mission in support for Desert Rats 2022 in Flagstaff, Arizona.
PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

The Desert Research and Technology Studies (DesertRATS) is one of NASA’s analog missions to test hardware and operational scenarios in a remote environment with geographic similarities to the Moon and Mars. In October 2022, NASA evaluated rover design and operations, communications with the Mission Control Center and a Science Evaluation Room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. A key element of the DesertRATS analog is the pressurized rover, a capability that is planned for astronaut surface exploration at the Moon and Mars. NASA has a study agreement with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for development of the Artemis pressurized rover, and JAXA representatives joined NASA at DesertRATS.

Album The-Desert-Research-and-Technology-Studies