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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 - RC1B6F93B0B0
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.
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.
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 Peter
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.
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 - RC1C8DADB810
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 - RC1410B0D810
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.
Sleeping capsules are seen at the C-Space Project Mars simulation base in the Gobi Desert outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019.
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.
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.
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.
Students walk through Gobi Desert near the C-Space Project Mars simulation base outside Jinchang, Gansu Province, China, April 17, 2019.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.