Space exploration in the backyard, on a budget – how NASA simulates conditions in space without blasting off

A planetary scientist who has participated in analog missions describes their value for planning space exploration – and learning about extreme environments on Earth.

By: Jordan Bretzfelder, Georgia Institute of Technology, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 18, 2026

Words: 1,462

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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By Jordan Bretzfelder, Georgia Institute of Technology

Humanity’s drive to explore has taken us across the solar system, with astronaut boots, various landers and rovers’ wheels exploring the surfaces of several different planetary bodies. These environments are generally hostile to human and equipment health, so designing and executing these missions requires a lot of planning, testing and technological development.

You may have heard about the extensive testing facilities for spacecraft and equipment, but how …

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