NASA is preparing for the search for the Artemis mission, which will eventually return humans to the moon. To do this, the space agency has planned two field tests lasting several weeks near Flagstaff in the Arizona desert in the United States.
According to the NASA statement, a diverse team of astronauts, engineers and Artemis scientists was deployed to participate in these tests. The Arizona desert was chosen because it is very reminiscent of the environment of the lunar surface.
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According to the US space agency, the characteristics of the desert are very reminiscent of the lunar south pole, where the Artemis missions will take place. The entity points out that Arizona’s terrain is challenging and has interesting geology, as well as minimal communication infrastructure.
The date of the first analog mission to be carried out is already scheduled: between 4 and 9 October. Called JETT3, the project will take place near Crater SP, located 60 kilometers north of Flagstaff.
The tests are nothing more than four simulated moonwalks that will help NASA understand the needs for “unique lighting conditions” in the lunar region of the south pole. Therefore, to try to reproduce these conditions, the tests will be carried out at night, with a simulated sun.
Rover for the lunar mission and international collaboration
The second test, called D-RATS, will be conducted from 11 to 22 October at Black Point Lava Flow, also near the SP crater. At that point, the pressurized rovers will be tested. These vehicles can “host astronauts for weeks”.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronauts will be part of these missions. Therefore, they will have the opportunity to experience what it is like to live and work “in real life” inside a prototype rover “in an operational environment”.
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