NASA DESERT RATS

The term "Desert Rats" is often used to refer to NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (Desert RATS) program. Desert RATS is an annual field test that NASA conducts in the southwestern United States, primarily in the Arizona desert. The program is designed to test and evaluate various technologies, vehicles, and operational procedures that could be used in future human missions to the Moon, Mars, or other destinations in space.Desert RATS typically involves field tests in remote and rugged desert environments, where NASA scientists and engineers work alongside astronauts to gather valuable data and refine mission plans. The insights gained from these tests help NASA develop and improve the technologies and procedures needed for future human exploration beyond Earth