A black slab representing matter from Mars stands in the Gobi Desert at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
Potatoes are kept in jars at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
The C-Space Project Mars simulation base is seen at dusk in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 16, 2019. Picture taken April 16, 2019. Show moreShow less
A mock space capsule of the C-Space Project Mars simulation base is seen at dusk in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 16, 2019. Picture taken April 16, 2019. Show moreShow less
Students listen to a lesson at a mock space capsule at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
A staff member looks through a monocular at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter - RC1B6F93B0B0Show moreShow less
The eating corner is seen at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
A mock laboratory is seen at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
A staff member demonstrates how she puts on the helmet of a mock space suit at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas PeterShow moreShow less
The C-Space Project Mars simulation base is seen at dusk in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 16, 2019. Picture taken April 16, 2019. Show moreShow less
A staff member poses in a mock space suit at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter - RC1C8DADB810Show moreShow less
Students raise their hands to answer a question at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter - RC1410B0D810Show moreShow less
Students gather around a mock space capsule at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
Sleeping capsules are seen at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
A mock laboratory is seen at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
A student launches a toy rocket at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
A staff member sets up a sign in the shape of a space suit at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019.Show moreShow less
Students walk through Gobi Desert near the C-Space Project Mars simulation base outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
Students build a toy rocket at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
A staff member looks into a mock space capsule at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
A sleeping capsule is seen at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
Students are seen from inside an installation representing a cave on Mars at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019. Show moreShow less
Mars in the desert
Chinese teenagers completed a tour of a space colony against a desolate backdrop at a Chinese-built Mars simulation base in the barren, windswept hills of Gansu province.