Book 16, Question 25
How Do Scientists Use Deserts to Practice for Mars?
Some deserts are dry, rocky, and cold at night, a bit like Mars! Scientists test rovers, drills, and spacesuits in places like the Atacama and the Utah desert. It is a safe place to practice.
More fun facts
- Chile's Atacama Desert is one of the most Mars-like places on Earth.
- Its soil has very few microorganisms, so it is a realistic place to practice searching for life.
- A NASA project there tests drilling tools that could one day search for life on Mars.
- Perseverance rover scientists also trained in the Nevada desert.
- There, a seven-person team acted as a pretend rover, carrying cameras and science instruments.
Questions kids ask
Why practice for Mars in the Atacama?
Its soil has very few microorganisms, so it is a realistic place to practice searching for life.