Dhofar desert in the south of Oman in the Arab Peninsula was chosen to hold the test that simulated man’s trip to Mars. The site has unfavorable living conditions and geological characteristics, such as high temperatures (close to 51ºC) and rocky sand, just like the red planet’s. The goal of Amadee-18 is to train its crew for future expeditions. The mission was completed at the end of February.

While in isolation for four weeks, the team that had been trained for the mission donned space suits and lived in a base with a place to sleep, as well as areas to conduct field tests. Crew members ate as if they were in space – fresh fruit and vegetables on the first few days, preserved and canned foods in the last ones. They tested equipment such as self-driving cars with solar batteries and did jobs that they would do in Mars like planting fresh vegetables in plastic greenhouses.

Close to 200 scientists from 25 countries participated in the mission led by the Austrian Space Forum. Amadee-18 took place almost at the same time as the launch of the most powerful spacecraft in the world by SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company. The feat was an important step towards transporting humans to Mars.

QUESTIONS – level 3

1- Why was the desert chosen for the test?
a. Because of conditions such as high temperatures and rocky sand
b. Because the location has a base with a place to sleep, as well as areas for field tests
c. To train crew members for future expeditions
d. None of the above

2- According to the text, what other recent feat regarding Mars took place?

Enquete

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