Aerospace's Trevor Jahn recently spent two weeks in the frozen north at the Mars Arctic Research Station doing what's called an "analog mission." Resarchers isolate themselves in a near-lifeless frozen desert, simulating a mission to another planet.

Jahn was there both as an "analog astronaut," providing data on how crews might operate and adapt to interplanetary life, and to perform some high-tech experimentation. Aerospace's Project Phantom attempts to capture and use digital twins of terrain and features to perform science and plan operations, and it was put to good use here.

The team, on one of its simulated extravehicular activities, was collecting environmental samples and discovered a fascinating oasis of plant life in a rocky outcropping. Using lidar scans and other imagery, Jahn collaborated with offsite geologists to analyze this surprising find in a way that an astronaut on Mars might do.

“This is really exciting for us, because for human spaceflight, this is a way for scientists to communicate and guide astronauts when they’re not on location, and they can talk back and forth,” said Jahn. “If we can talk to people with holograms and 3D scans of things, we create a whole new opportunity for exploration and collaboration.”

The greater mission was itself quite a challenge, requiring a bit of grit and quick thinking by the crew. You can learn more in the video above.