Terrestrial analogue site

Analogue sites are used in the frame of space exploration to either study geological or biological processes observed on other planets, or to prepare astronauts for surface extra-vehicular activity.

Analogue sites are places on Earth with assumed, past or present, geological, environmental or biological conditions of a celestial body.

Analogue site studies are necessary because they help to understand geological processes (on Earth) which can be extrapolated to other Solar System bodies in order to interpret and validate the data received from orbiters or planetary rovers.

Analogue sites are also important for optimizing scientific and technological needs and exploration strategies in robotic or crewed missions to the Moon or Mars.

In terms of analogue sites, scientists search for locations on Earth that exhibit similar landforms such as can be found on exploration targets like the Moon, Mars or even asteroids and comets.

The aspect of geochemistry is of importance for analogue sites when locations offer the possibility to test analysis instruments for future space missions (crewed or robotic).

In terrestrial analogues efforts are put on the identification of so-called extremophile organisms, which are life forms that live and survive in extreme conditions such as can be found on other planets or moons.

The cold dry hyperarid core of the Atacama desert is one of the closest analogues for Martian surface conditions and is often used for testing rovers and life detection equipment that one day may be sent to Mars.

[3][4][5][6][7] Other extreme environments, such as the polar regions, high-altitude mountainous areas, or remote islands are also used in studies to better understanding of life under such conditions.

Future explorers of the Moon or Mars will have to handle various conditions, such as reduced gravity, radiation, work in pressurized space suits and extreme temperatures.

[8] Underwater analogue sites allow for the training of astronauts in neutral buoyancy conditions (such as is done in test pools at NASA, ESA or Star City in Russia) while operating on a natural terrain.

In 2001, NASA conducted the mission named NEEMO near Florida, 62 feet (19 m) underwater, that was supposed to be a simulation for six aquanauts living in a confined space.

Mars12,000 sq-ft (1115 sq-m) outdoor Mars yard sculpted per mission; 3200 sq-ft (300 sq-m) indoor Mars yard and terrain park with fine-grained basalt and varied terrain beds and features for pressure suit, rover, and drone tests and exploration; synthetic lava tube being constructed fall of 2023.

MarsBasalt dust was built from crushed volcanic rock (northern Arizona) with minimal original organic material for the Biosphere 2 Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO) experiment.