Student Article
Six Out-of-This-World Experiments Recreating Space on Earth
Astronaut (noun): A person who travels in space.
Spacesuit (noun): A special suit astronauts wear to protect them in space.
Mission (noun): An important job or trip to complete something.
Rover (noun): A robot that explores other planets.
Astronauts need practice before they travel to space, so scientists build special places on Earth to help them train.
HI-SEAS
In Hawaii, scientists created a pretend Mars base called HI-SEAS. It’s on a volcano where astronauts wear spacesuits and practice living far from home. They even have a 20-minute delay when talking to "Mission Control," just like on Mars.
NEEMO
In Florida, NASA trains astronauts underwater in a project called NEEMO. They live in a tiny habitat 62 feet (19 meters) deep in the ocean. This helps them get used to small spaces and practice using tools while floating.
C-Space Project
In China’s Gobi Desert, there is a pretend Mars base where students can learn what it’s like to live on another planet.
Pangaea-X
Astronauts explore volcanoes and caves in places like Lanzarote, Spain. There, they study rocks, just as they would on Mars.
ARADS
In Chile’s Atacama Desert, scientists drive a robot rover to search for life, like they will on Mars.
CAVES project
Finally, astronauts train in Sardinia, Italy, by living in caves for six days. It teaches them teamwork and how to stay calm in dark, tight spaces — skills they’ll need in space!
© Rob Banino / Our Media
Astronaut (noun): A person who travels in space.
Spacesuit (noun): A special suit astronauts wear to protect them in space.
Mission (noun): An important job or trip to complete something.
Rover (noun): A robot that explores other planets.