# @nasaartemis on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/ClgmoA8MMXm
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/15341240-nasaartemis-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/82c24847a9.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-11-28T15:20:19.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** NASA Artemis (@nasaartemis) — https://gondola.cc/nasaartemis

## Caption

In October, Black Point Lava Flow, a dark, desert landscape forty miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, served as a simulated lunar environment. During the activity, called Desert Research and Technology Studies (D-RATS), scientists, engineers, and researchers from NASA and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXAJP) gathered to test pressurized rover operations for future #Artemis missions. ⁣
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D-RATS consisted of one engineering run and three separate missions. Two different crew members from NASA and JAXA participated in each mission which involved living, working, and driving in a pressurized rover over the course of three days.⁣
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A pressurized rover will enable farther and longer lunar surface expeditions by providing a place for astronauts to live and work as they traverse the area near the lunar South Pole. As part of a study agreement with NASA, JAXA may provide a pressurized rover for Artemis missions. D-RATS allowed JAXA to work with NASA’s prototype rover to inform potential rover designs and capabilities. ⁣
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When NASA sends a pressurized rover to the surface of the Moon, it will serve as astronauts’ living and working space, their life support system, and their means of transportation for up to a month at a time. Testing operations now is a critical part of developing the best possible design and technologies. In the coming months, NASA and JAXA will compile lessons learned and data to inform rover designs, lunar traverse planning, and concepts of operations for future Artemis missions. ⁣
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Image descriptions:⁣
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1: A pressurized rover travels across a rocky vista at dusk. The rover is white with eight wheels and has many exterior compartments, a NASA logo, and a Japanese and U.S. flag on the back.⁣
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2: A pressurized rover illuminates grassy terrain at night with two Japanese astronauts on a simulated moonwalk. The rover is white with eight wheels and has many exterior compartments, a NASA logo, and a Japanese and U.S. flag on the back.⁣
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3: A Japanese astronaut wearing a white shirt and black pants sits in the driver's seat of the rover. Screens show various information about the rover.
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Credit: NASA⁣
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#LunarSimulation #Rover #NASA #JAXA

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## Tags

nasa, jaxa, lunarsimulation, artemis, rover

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