国产精品99一区二区三_免费中文日韩_国产在线精品一区二区_日本成人手机在线

China Focus: Exploring life on Mars in the Gobi desert

Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-18 21:11:48|Editor: Liangyu
Video PlayerClose

LANZHOU, May 18 (Xinhua) -- "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids," as an Elton John hit goes.

However, a Mars simulation base in the middle of China's Gobi desert might be the perfect place to introduce young, budding astronauts to what life would be like on the red planet.

Surrounded by barren hills and red soil in northwest China's Gansu Province, "Mars Base One" allows visitors to explore a variety of space facilities and the rocky, martian-like landscape.

The white-colored base covers five sq km and features nine interconnected modules, including a control room, living quarters and a greenhouse where wheat and vegetables grow.

The base made international headlines when it started trial operation and welcomed more than 100 local students on a five-hour tour on April 17. Its distinctive landscape was described by Reuters as a close analog of Tatooine, the home planet of the "Star Wars" hero Luke Skywalker.

Since then, Mars Base One has received over 500 visitors, mainly teenagers, from across China who yearn to take a peek at the futuristic base before its official opening later this year.

"This place is so cool; more than what I've imagined. I hope I can land on Mars someday," middle school student Cai Yajuan said after visiting the base.

"Having experienced what life is like on Mars, I'm now more curious about outer space," said another student Li Yaqin, who called herself a big fan of sci-fi hits such as "The Wandering Earth" and "The Martian."

Li Tanqiu, deputy chief designer of China's astronaut system department and a consultant of the base, said the base combines science popularization with tourism, which will enable more people to experience the pleasure of space exploration.

Liu Chuan, operations manager of the base, said he has been woken up by phone calls about the base almost every morning after its unveiling. But he is more than glad to see that Chinese people have taken so much interest in space exploration.

"The base provides teenagers with an opportunity to learn about Mars. We hope to inspire more and more young people to participate in space exploration," Liu said.

He added that staff with the base are creating science courses and designing tour routes to better serve visitors in the future.

"I don't know who will be the first person to land on Mars, but it could be someone who has visited the base," he said.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001380696041
主站蜘蛛池模板: 祁阳县| 福安市| 乌兰浩特市| 长治县| 漳浦县| 贵德县| 襄汾县| 鹤峰县| 吴忠市| 甘南县| 昌平区| 都江堰市| 林芝县| 合肥市| 怀远县| 兖州市| 卢龙县| 广灵县| 南和县| 渭源县| 土默特左旗| 巴楚县| 醴陵市| 新巴尔虎右旗| 进贤县| 九江市| 保靖县| 武功县| 乐陵市| 运城市| 芮城县| 沙雅县| 黄骅市| 蒙城县| 西平县| 麻阳| 芦山县| 河北省| 讷河市| 平陆县| 青铜峡市|