NASA in Death Valley

 

Death Valley: A Unique Research Analog for Planetary Science

Stepping into Death Valley is akin to entering another world. The stark, dramatic landscapes have not only inspired Hollywood filmmakers—featured in iconic movies and television series like Star Wars, Robinson Crusoe on Mars, and The Twilight Zone—but they have also become invaluable to scientific research. Planetary scientists have utilized Death Valley as a testing ground for decades, capitalizing on its geologic features that closely resemble those found on other planets.

Mirrored Landscapes of Other Worlds

Mars Hills

In 1976, the NASA Viking landers captured the first high-resolution images of Mars, revealing surprising similarities with Earth’s Death Valley. One notable feature is Mars Hill, located along Badwater Road. This basalt mound, a remnant of a past lava flow, exhibits a topography nearly identical to that observed by the Viking landers, featuring angular basaltic boulders ranging in size from centimeters to meters. The textural features of Mars Hill, including its rocky outcrops and sedimentary formations, closely match those seen at various Martian sites.

Studying these similarities is crucial for scientists as they analyze how weathering processes and erosion shape planetary surfaces over time. By observing the way rock formations in Death Valley respond to wind and water erosion, researchers can better understand the geological history of Mars, including potential past climates that may have supported life. This understanding is pivotal for selecting landing sites for future Mars missions and assessing the potential for astrobiological research.

 

Left image
Mars Hill, Death Valley, California
Credit: NPS

Right image
This portion of a 1997 panorama from a camera aboard NASA's Mars Pathfinder lander shows the microwave-oven-size Sojourner rover next to a rock called "Yogi."
Credit: NASA/JPL

 

NASA Mars Science Laboratory mission team members ran mobility tests on the test rover called Scarecrow on sand dunes near Death Valley, Ca. in early May 2012 in preparation for operating the Curiosity rover, currently en route to Mars.

NASA/JPL-Caltech

Sand Dunes of Death Valley

Death Valley's unique dune formations are another area of interest for planetary scientists. For dunes to form, three key elements are necessary: a source of sand, prevailing winds to transport it, and geographical features to trap it. In Death Valley, eroded canyons and washes provide ample sand, while seasonal winds—especially common in spring—move the sand to create dune fields that exhibit distinct shapes and characteristics.

Dunes on Earth are not just physical features; they are dynamic systems influenced by environmental conditions. The barchan dunes found at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, which are crescent-shaped and migrate with the wind, closely resemble the dune structures on Mars. Additionally, studies of Earth’s dunes have revealed commonalities in their formation and movement, influenced by wind patterns and sediment supply.

Understanding how these systems operate on Earth provides researchers with valuable insights into the processes that might govern similar landscapes on Mars and other planetary bodies, like Venus or Saturn's moon Titan, where wind-blown sediment has formed massive dune fields. This research helps scientists predict how extraterrestrial dunes will evolve and respond to environmental changes, aiding in the design of instruments for future exploration missions.

 

Left image
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley, California
Credit: NPS/L.Johnston

Right image
High Dune is First Martian Dune Studied up Close, 2025
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

 

Ubehebe Volcanic Field

At the northern end of Death Valley lies the Ubehebe Volcanic Field, which features over twelve ancient maar volcanoes. These volcanic formations arise from the explosive interaction between superheated groundwater and magma, creating craters often filled with sediment or water. The largest of these, Ubehebe Crater, is approximately 600 feet deep and half a mile wide.

The geological processes showcased at Ubehebe Crater are remarkably similar to those found on Mars, particularly at sites like Gale Crater, where volcanic activity has significantly shaped the landscape. The crater's clay-rich playa resembles ancient mudstone studied by NASA's Curiosity rover, specifically the formation known as Old Soaker, which also consists of clay minerals indicative of ancient watery environments. Such analogs are instrumental in developing models of Martian geology and help scientists understand the potential for past habitability.

By exploring the mineral composition and sedimentary structures within Ubehebe Crater, researchers can draw parallels to Martian formations and investigate processes such as sedimentation and mineral alteration under extreme environmental conditions. The insights gained from these studies contribute to our understanding of Mars's geologic history, including volcanic activity and its implications for the planet's climate evolution.

 

Left image
Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley, California
Credit: NPS/B.Jansen

Right image
This animation shows a hypothetical flyover above Victoria Crater, where NASA Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is perched on a rim.
Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell/Univ. of Ariz./US Geological Survey

 

A Testing Ground for Mars Missions

Death Valley’s unique terrain and similarities to other worlds has made it a testing ground of NASA and others. In 1992, a Russian lander called Marsokhod was tested in Death Valley on Mars Hill. In early 2019, the Mars Lander Vision System that guided Perseverance to its landing site in Jezero Crater testing it in Death Valley. It allowed the lander to guide itself to a safe landing. According to Swati Mohan, a Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer, this brought the “probability of success of landing safely at Jezero Crater all the way up to 99%- safe every single time.” This system takes photos of the terrain below as it descends, compares its observations to orbital photos stored in its memory, and can then divert the spacecraft if needed to avoid hazardous landing conditions.

 

Beyond Mars

LEMUR (Limbed Excursion Mechanical Utility Robot) was tested on the limestone walls of Titus Canyon in 2019. Its hook-covered feet and LIDAR sensing system allowed it to scale the canyon walls in search of stromatolites, fossilized remains of ancient bacteria. This robot was originally created to repair the ISS and has been adapted to explore steep terrain on other planets.

RoboSimian was tested on at Devil’s Golf Course in 2020. This robot could be a part of a potential future mission to look for signs of life in the icy terrain of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. This salt flat was chosen for its resemblance to Europa’s surface. RoboSimian has seven sets of stereo cameras for seeing and features a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) device for mapping its environment in three dimensions.

Seeing Space in Death Valley

Death Valley’s connection with Mars isn’t exclusive to scientists. As an International Park Sky Association Park, Death Valley’s visitors only needs to gaze upward to experience space. To celebrate its dark skies, Death Valley began hosting Mars and the Mojave, eventually renamed Marsfest and now called the Dark Sky Festival, in 2012. This event allows park visitors to learn from NASA scientists, astrophotographers, and Dark Sky Association representatives. The festival provides visitors an opportunity to participate in stargazing, photography, and learn about our place in the Universe.

Check out the Park Calendar to see what Dark Sky Ranger Programs may be offered during your visit.