WEBVTT

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Intro music.

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The Desert Research and Technology Studies or RATS team is giving NASA's newly developed spacesuits, chariot and communication devices

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a rough and tumble tryout in the dust and dirt of the Arizona desert.

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Flagstaff's high desert is the perfect place to simulate the terrain on Moon or Mars for the testing of this new equipment.

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Crews wearing prototype-advanced spacesuits with new helmet-mounted speakers and microphones began their two week trial in the field in September.

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Other equipment being tested is an electric tractor guided by spacesuit-mounted controls and an autonomous robotic support vehicle named "Matilda."

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The result of the testing of the new gear and robotic equipment is important in helping

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America pursue the Vision for Space Exploration to return to the Moon and beyond.

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