Astrobiology dedicates entire issue to BASALT Project

The work of Senior Research Scientist Darlene Lim and her colleagues is the subject of a special issue of Astobiology, a peer-reviewed journal for evolution and life’s origins research.  For the last 4 years, the Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains (BASALT) team have been conducting research in extreme environments here on Earth to help predict, plan, and perfect the methodology and practices for future planetary exploration, such as those planned for Mars and beyond.   

BASALT’s objective is achieving “analog mission fidelity.”  Many of the challenges facing the team was traversing hostile terrain in extraterrestrial vehicles (EVAs), reducing telecommunication latency that would occur across great distances, landing heavy payloads, sustaining surface power, developing regenerative life support, and landing heavy payloads safely.  Follow the link to read more about the many results the team has achieved and what’s to come.

https://www.liebertpub.com/toc/ast/19/3