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More About Analogs

Analog missions allow NASA to evaluate systems in remote field locations with extreme terrain or weather conditions, similar to those astronauts might face during a space mission.

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D-RATS Education Program

Desert RATS education and public outreach event

Education workshops for teachers and students to engage in the field science experience conducted during a Desert RATS mission.

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Desert RATS Fact Sheet

Get the facts on Desert RATS history, key questions for 2011, NASA technologies in the field; learn why NASA has tested at Black Point Lava Flow, Ariz. from the 1960s through today.

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Analog Mission Vodcasts

Vodcasts shot on location during analog missions, by the NASA EDGE and NASA 360 teams.

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Desert RATS Past Missions

The Space Exploration Vehicle is tested as part of Mission Day 2 operations during the 2010 Desert RATS field tests at Black Point Lava Flow, Arizona. Photo credit: NASA

Read about the previous Desert RATS analog field tests in the desert environments of Black Point Lava Flow and Cinder Lake, Arizona.

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News and Features

JSC2011E217099 -- Various stations of rock setups are in place to practice gathering geologic samples in another world

RATS 2012: Asteroid Simulation Mission

NASA’s Research and Technology Studies team created a simulated near-Earth asteroid exploration mission in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility.

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Crewmates José Hurtado and Alvin Drew conduct an MMSEV flying simulation.

Analogs Blog: Test-Driving a Spaceship

Dr. José Hurtado explains the simulated asteroid mission activities that the RATS team is conducting during the 2012 Phase 1 testing at Johnson Space ...

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Picture of the Multi-Missioni Space Exploration Vehicle (MMSEV), shown in the

2012 Research and Technology Studies Resume at JSC

The Research and Technology Studies team (RATS) conducts habitability testing and asteroid mission simulations in JSC's Building 9.

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Astronaut Kjell Lindgren performs a simulated spacewalk during the 2011 Desert RATS mission. Photo credit: NASA/Regan Geeseman.

D-RATS Set Sights on Asteroid

The Desert Research and Technology Studies group, known as D-RATS, ventured to Arizona to find out how to explore an asteroid.

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The 2011 Desert RATS crew and support team pose in front of the Deep Space Habitat and two Multi-mission Space Exploration Vehicles.

Desert RATS 2011: Wrap-up Report

NASA's 14th annual Desert RATS mission concluded with success.

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Desert RATS crew members performing a spacewalk at Black Point Lava Flow, Ariz. Photo credit: NASA/Regan Geeseman

Desert RATS 2011: Mid-way Report

NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (Desert RATS) crew has reached the mid-way point in the 14th annual Desert RATS mission.

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Screengrab of the Virtual Desert RATS game, showing the Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV).

Desert RATS Virtual Test Site

A 3-D environment combining NASA models with topography and satellite imagery to bring the analog field test to your computer.

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The Desert RATS 2011 team with the Habitat Demonstration Unit, Space Exploration Vehicle and Centaur rover. Photo credit: NASA/Regan Geeseman

Meet the Desert RATS Crew and Mission Support

Introducing the crew members and mission support crew for the 2011 Desert RATS analog field tests.

Artist's concept of a near-Earth asteroid mission

Desert RATS 2011 Preview: Asteroid Mission Simulation

NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS) will conduct their 14th field testing mission for future exploration, from Aug. 27 - Sept. 12.

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The Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV) docked with the Habitat Demonstration Unit (HDU) during 2010 Desert RATS field testing.

HDU Technologies Demonstrated at 2011 Desert RATS

NASA's next-generation space habitat will test many new systems at Desert RATS including UW-Madison's challenge winning X-Hab loft.

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More News and Features

Watch Video From 2011 Desert RATS

The Desert RATS team explains the value of analog testing and describes preparations for the mission in these videos from the field in Black Point Lava Flow, Ariz.
Analogs Blog: Mission Day 8 →

On Day 8, Crew A executes their last day of extravehicular activities and Crew B is spends their last day in the Deep Space Habitat.
Analogs Blog: Sample Collection At Desert RATS →

Dr. Jacob Bleacher explains how the DRATS crew collects samples in the field, how samples are studied and documented in the GeoLab and the "special" protocols using new science instruments.
Analogs Blog: Dealing With Bad Weather →

The Desert RATS team goes through an "unscheduled simulation" of a possible impact event on the Deep Space Habitat, as bad weather causes a minor breach in the DSH shell.
Analogs Blog: Mission Day 6, EVA Tests Begin →

Entering week 2 of the tests, crew A begins a series of Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVAs) and Crew B commences living in the Deep Space Habitat.
Analogs Blog: Testing The Number Of Crew Members →

Dr. Jacob Bleacher describes how delayed communications, which would be experienced by astronauts on a deep space mission, are tested using technologies at Desert RATS.
Analogs Blog: Working In The Deep Space Habitat →

Dr. Jose Hurtado, geologist and crew member for 2009, 2010, and 2011 Desert RATS, describes the experience of living in the Deep Space Habitat during the mission and using the GeoLab to do science.
Analogs Blog: What Is A "Science Backroom"? →

Dr. Sarah Noble, a NASA geologist, explains how the Apollo missions used the "science backroom" in Mission Control, and compares it to today's science backroom for Desert RATS.
Meet the Desert RATS Crew

Introducing the NASA astronauts, geologists and backup crew for the 2011 Desert RATS analog field tests.
Meet the Desert RATS Mission Support Team

Meet the mission manager, project managers, test coordinators, engineers and scientists supporting operations in the Arizona desert for the Desert RATS crew.
Meet the Desert RATS 2011 Interns

Students and recent graduates from West Virginia University, North Dakota University and the University of Alabama have the opportunity to work as interns with the 2011 Desert RATS team.
Analogs Blog: Desert RATS Overview By The Science Operations Lead →

Dean Eppler, Science Operations Lead for 2011 Desert RATS describes the role of the science team in supporting operations and the importance of field testing.
Analogs Blog: Desert RATS 2011 From A Geologist's Point Of View →

Planetary geologist Dr. Jacob Bleacher explains the new human exploration operations, communications scenarios and lots of new hardware tested at DRATS.

About Desert RATS

NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS) team evaluates technology, human-robotic systems and extravehicular equipment in the high desert near Flagstaff, Ariz. Field testing provides a knowledge base that helps scientists and engineers design, build and operate better equipment, and establish requirements for operations and procedures. The Arizona desert has a rough, dusty terrain and extreme temperature swings that simulate conditions that may be encountered on other surfaces in space.