Glimpses of the Mars Dune Alpha, NASA's simulated Mars habitat, that is being used as preparation to send humans to the Red Planet.
The Mars Dune Alpha is a 1,700-square-foot 3D printed structure built to support long-duration, exploration-class. space missions.
The four member crew, who will live and work in this habitat, will face the challenges of a mission on Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failure, communication delays, and other environmental stressors.
IMAGE: Members of the media tour the Mars landscape simulation area at the Mars Dune Alpha at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, USA. All photographs: Go Nakamura/Reuters
IMAGE: Boots seen inside the Mars Dune Alpha.
IMAGE: The door for the airlock room.
IMAGE: The entrance to the working area.
IMAGE: The medical bay.
IMAGE: The working area.
IMAGE: An oxygen generator system.
IMAGE: A washing machine and exercise equipment.
IMAGE: The crew quarter.
IMAGE: A recreational area.
IMAGE: A 3D printer.
IMAGE: The lavatory.
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com