How a team of scientists in a control room enables discovery on alien terrain.
In the rugged Arizona desert, NASA astronauts practice exploring the surfaces of the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. Meanwhile, over a thousand miles away, a team of scientists sits in a control room, guiding their every move. This is the Science Backroom for NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS)—a critical analog mission component where remote scientists successfully enable exploration in environments where humans cannot yet go in person.
Desert Research and Technology Studies (Desert RATS or D-RATS) is a series of annual field trials where NASA tests technologies and operational concepts for human exploration of planetary surfaces 1 . Beginning in 1997, these tests occur in the challenging terrain surrounding Flagstaff, Arizona, which provides a convincing analog for the rocky landscapes of other worlds 1 .
During Desert RATS tests, the Science Backroom serves as the central nervous system for the entire scientific operation. While astronauts conduct simulated extravehicular activities (EVAs) in the desert, a support team of scientists works in parallel from mission control environments, including facilities at NASA's Johnson Space Center and even the European Space Agency's ESTEC center in the Netherlands 5 .
Determining daily science objectives and designing traverses that maximize scientific return within operational constraints 2 .
Monitoring crew activities and providing guidance as needed, despite communication delays 7 .
Creating detailed maps, maintaining play-by-play activity logs, and generating annotated photographic records 7 .
Receiving and analyzing field observations and data from the crew, then adjusting subsequent EVAs based on findings 1 .
| Role | Primary Responsibilities | Critical Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Science Lead | Overall science strategy, final decision authority | Mission rules, science priority lists |
| Documentarian | Real-time activity logging, communication transcripts | Play-by-play documents, timing systems |
| GIS/Mapping Specialist | Traverse planning, station mapping, spatial data analysis | Geographic Information Systems, orbital imagery |
| Data Product Creator | Imagery analysis, annotated mosaics, 3D models | Photogrammetry software, AR/VR environments |
| Communications Liaison | Managing information flow between teams | Voice loops, text messaging systems |
One of the most significant challenges in planetary exploration is communication latency—the time delay for signals traveling between Earth and other celestial bodies. While the Moon has only a few seconds of delay, Mars missions could experience delays of up to 20 minutes each way 1 .
Desert RATS 2011 specifically tested operational concepts for dealing with these delays, moving beyond simple voice communications to more effective methods 1 :
These strategies proved essential for maintaining operational efficiency when real-time conversation was impossible, particularly relevant for future missions to asteroids or Mars where significant delays are unavoidable.
Moon: 1-3 seconds
Mars: 3-22 minutes
Outer Planets: Hours
Recent Desert RATS tests have focused on the Pressurized Rover concept—essentially a mobile habitat that would allow astronauts to live and work on planetary surfaces for extended periods. The 2022 field test at Black Point Lava Flow in Arizona simulated a multi-day traverse mission 6 .
Multiple astronaut crews trained in geology and rover systems before the mission 6 .
Crews lived and worked from the pressurized rover for several days, conducting simulated science operations 6 .
Crews practiced driving using only camera views when windows were covered, simulating dust or terrain constraints 6 .
The remote team provided strategic guidance while dealing with simulated communication delays 7 .
The tests yielded valuable insights into operational concepts for Artemis and future Mars missions. Researchers confirmed that text-based communication protocols effectively overcome latency issues, and that detailed mapping support from the backroom significantly enhances crew productivity during EVAs 7 .
The 2022 test also helped refine the Pressurized Rover ConOps (Concept of Operations), determining optimal crew sizes, shift rotations, and maintenance requirements for these essential exploration vehicles 3 .
| Year | Major Technologies Tested | Operational Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Spacesuits, Matilda robotic vehicle, electric tractor, mobile geology lab 1 | Wireless networking, robotic assistance |
| 2005 | SCOUT rover, in-use air tank recharge system 1 | Human-robot collaboration |
| 2006 | ATHLETE, Robonaut/Centaur, Pressurized Rover Compartment 1 | Robotic assistants, pressurized mobility |
| 2008 | Space Exploration Vehicle, CHARIOT, spacesuits 1 | Short-duration rover operations |
| 2009 | Space Exploration Vehicle, Tri-ATHLETE, K-10 robots 1 | Multi-vehicle coordination |
| 2010 | Habitat Demonstration Unit, Centaur 2, Portable Utility Pallets 1 | Dual-rover modes, communication strategies |
| 2011 | Inflatable habitat loft, Space Exploration Vehicle 1 | Communication delay strategies |
| 2012 | Virtual reality EVA, Active Response Gravity Offload System 1 | Asteroid mission simulation |
The Science Backroom relies on a sophisticated collection of tools and technologies to enable remote scientific discovery during analog missions. These "research reagent solutions" form the foundation for effective remote science operations.
| Tool/Capability | Function | Application in Desert RATS |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | Creating detailed station maps for EVA planning and post-EVA analysis 7 | Traverse path planning, resource mapping, landing site selection |
| Real-time EVA Mapping | Tracking crew movements and activities during operations 7 | Play-by-play documentation, spatial data correlation |
| Augmented/Virtual Reality Environments | Importing 3D image products for immersive analysis 7 | Terrain familiarization, procedure verification, public outreach |
| Geolab Glovebox | Conducting in-field analysis of collected rock samples 1 | Preliminary sample examination, contamination control |
| Portable Communications Terminal | Maintaining connectivity with crew and assets in the field 1 | Data transmission, voice communication, telemetry |
| Interplanetary Delay Emulator | Simulating communication latency between planets 1 | Protocol development, procedure validation, crew training |
The knowledge gained from Desert RATS has directly influenced NASA's approach to planetary exploration. The program has tested concepts that have evolved into key elements of the Artemis program and future Mars mission planning 3 . Recent tests in 2022 and ongoing work focus specifically on Artemis Analog missions and Pressurized Rover Concept of Operations 3 .
As one researcher noted in a 2023 proposal, participation in these analog campaigns "is critical to develop and test science operation concepts for planetary surface missions" 7 .
The experience gained in the Arizona desert and the Science Backrooms that support these missions will ultimately enable the next generation of explorers to conduct groundbreaking science on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The Science Backroom of Desert RATS represents a perfect marriage of operational expertise and scientific inquiry—proving that you don't need to leave Earth to push the boundaries of extraterrestrial exploration.