La Rioja, Argentina - April 18, 2024

Although Mars is millions of kilometers from Earth, Argentina has one of the most similar places to the red planet. This is the Reserva de los Colorados, in La Rioja, where “Solar54” is under construction, an establishment whose objective is to simulate the conditions of life on Mars and the crop technology that could be used. At the same time, it is planned to manufacture nanosatellites and small rockets. With a space of five hectares, the project will position Argentina as the seventh country to develop ventures related to space exploration.

Solar54 is the first Scientific Research and Technological Development Center created to simulate life on the neighboring planet in Latin America and will consist of the creation of six geodesic domes, structures composed of basic construction units assembled with robots. The first three are intended for habitat: one for the bedrooms and bathroom, another for the kitchen and dining room and the last one for leisure, physical activity and medical trials.

The other three will function as laboratories: one for hydroponic plant production, which allows crops to be grown without using soil; the second for research, production and development in nanosatellites; and the third will be the ground station for satellite communication and mission control.