Hodges discusses Desert RATS, human space exploration

Kip Hodges appeared as a guest on Horizon's Sept. 16 show to discuss NASA's recent field tests in the Arizona desert called Desert RATS (Research and Technology Studies). As a RATS science team member, Hodges spent time at the lunar-like analog site at Black Point Lava Flow working with a team of engineers, geologists and astronauts to test technology NASA hopes to take to the Moon, Mars and beyond. One piece of equipment being tested that future explorers may utilize is the Lunar Electric Rover (LER). The size of a Humvee - except with 12 wheels, LER is capable of exploring terrain much rougher than our Earth-based SUVs can currently handle.

Hodges also discusses the future of human space exploration.

"At ASU, we have a very strong history, a very strong tradition of field science, of field geology on the planet t hat we call home. And so now we have an opportunity to think about doing field science again for the first time since Apollo on other planetary surfaces," says Hodges. "It's very gratifying that NASA recognizes the need for that, they're very enthusiastic about getting folks particularly from academia involved in this, and we're really right there on the vanguard at ASU."