Mars Mission Shields: Battling the Unknown in the Desert

Journey to the remote and mysterious Remote Hypervelocity Test Laboratory at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where the guardians of NASA's Mars Earth Entry System are preparing for a crucial battle against the unknown.

This facility, hidden amidst desolate dunes, has played a vital role in every human spaceflight program, from the Space Shuttle to Artemis. Now, it hosts a dedicated team tasked with designing shields to safeguard NASA's Mars mission from the perils of micrometeorites and space debris.

In this video, witness the dramatic tests where dangerous impacts are safely recreated, allowing the team to assess the resilience of their shields and computer models. Join us on this epic quest to fortify Mars-bound missions against the unseen dangers of space.