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Enjoy a bite of life on Mars in N.W. China
2019-04-18 

People curious about what it may be like to live on Mars now have a chance to try the experience on earth, at a newly-opened base in Gansu Province simulating life of the red planet.

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Located 20 kilometers from Jinchang, the land where resembles Martian conditions with its unique landscape and climate. The site, covering 67 square kilometers, contains nine main parts, including an airlock module, a general control module and a biological module.

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

It is designed to simulate the Mars environment in a bid to teach astronauts how to survive, and also aims to popularize science and boost interest in space exploration among youth.

The base constitutes a first in space education for tourism, astronomical research and movie making, according to Wang Jiantai, a local official.

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

China Daily reported that the base is a part of China's C Space Plan, an education project for Chinese youngsters launched in October, and that five sections featuring space communication, extraterrestrial survival, space exploration, living in space and space development will be established so that visitors can fully immerse themselves in the Mars experience.

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

"We have designed a series of experiential, interesting and spreadable approaches to kindle people's interest and enthusiasm toward science, exploration and innovation, especially young people," said Zhao Tianshu, director of the project's education system.

In addition to allowing visitors to experience a landing on another planet, conduct extraterrestrial experiments and go about routine life in space, the base also creates dramatic scenarios for role-playing.

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Bai Fan, the founder of the project, said the base is intended to boost courage as a core value and to inspire young people to face unknown challenges. They will have a more interesting and creative study experience by role-playing and teamwork during the visit, he said.

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

"Our science communication needs a more realistic, interactive model to arouse youth passion for the starry sky and help them put that passion into practice," Bai said.

Feng Chunping, executive deputy director of the China Center for Aerospace Science and Technology International Communications, said youth are key to the future of China's space exploration, and aerospace science education plays a crucial role.

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

But traditional education has tended to focus on displays of scientific results or screening films while failing to provide interactive opportunities, she said.

"It is not easy to make science communication attractive and interesting while maintaining precise and informative. Only by combining innovative thinking with precise science will it be possible to produce truly outstanding science communication products. The opening of the base is a new model for popularizing aerospace science."

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A Mars simulation base debuted in Jinchang, Gansu province on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Covering 67 square kilometers, the site allows its visitors to get a taste of the Mars living experience. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Ma Xi'e, a 12-year-old student from a middle school in Jinchang, said she looks forward to visiting the base and feeling the mysteries of space.

"I will be able to try on a space suit, feel the space capsule and experience walking in space. These activities make space less mysterious and fill me with curiosity," she said.

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