Physicist Schildhammer takes a rock sample as he wears Aouda.X spacesuit simulator during field test...
Physicist Daniel Schildhammer takes a rock sample as he wears the Aouda.X spacesuit simulator during a field test of Oesterreichisches Weltraum Forum (Austrian space forum) inside the Eisriesenhoehle (giant ice cave) at Dachstein mountain near the village of Obertraun April 28, 2012. Scientists were out of this world on Tuesday about tests in icy Alpine caves of the technology needed for a mission to Mars one day
Scientists picked the area - which Groemer called a "scientific playground" - for experiments because ice caves would be a natural refuge for any microbes on Mars seeking steady temperatures and protection from damaging cosmic rays.The Aouda.X is a spacesuit simulator for manned missions to Mars, which is being developed under the Mars Analog Research Program PolAres and allows to simulate environmental conditions, a real space suit would be faced on Mars. Picture taken April 28. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner (AUSTRIA - Tags: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY)