Desert RATS Overview
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The Desert RATS field test activities are the culmination of the various individual science and advanced engineering discipline areas into a coordinated field test demonstration under representative (analog) planetary surface terrain conditions. The purpose of the RATS effort is to assess preliminary exploration operational concepts for surface operation concepts, including rovers, EVA time lines, and ground support.
The RATS activities also are of significant importance in helping to develop the necessary levels of technical skills and experience for the next generation of engineers, scientists, technicians, and astronauts who will be responsible for realizing the goals of the Constellation Program.
› Download the Lunar Electric Rover fact sheet (5.1 MB PDF)
› Download the ATHLETE fact sheet (1.3 MB PDF)
Desert RATS 2009: Keep up with the team for updates from the field!
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Past Desert RATS Analogs
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Desert RATS 2008: Three Days in the Desert Tests Lunar "RV"
Two people, three days, 10 cubic meters. That sums up one of the main tests for this year's Desert RATS tests at Black Point Lava Flow in Arizona.
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Desert RATS 2007: NASA RATS Bring the Moon to Earth
Once a year, the Agency's RATS (Research and Technology Studies) team makes its way to remote a location in the Arizona or California desert to bring the moon right down to Earth -- Figuratively speaking that is.
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Desert RATS 2006: Demonstrating EVAs and Robotic Operations
In early September scientists will descend on a remote part of Arizona, Cinder Lake to test in an environment similar to that of the Moon and Mars.