The Plaster City Open Area offers a fitting simulacrum of the Mars landscape.
A BLM-managed area in the Southern California desert is helping NASA test a lunar lander.
According to a report in Imperial Valley Press, "The work supports NASA’s efforts to develop more capable autonomous systems for future lunar missions." The field test followed collaboration between BLM staff and the project team from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The Plaster City Open Area closely replicates the terrain found on Mars, with sparse vegetation, uneven terrain and natural obstacles. "Using a detailed pre-programmed map overlay and navigation targets, the rover chose its own routes, avoided obstacles and natural resources to minimize impacts, and evaluated the surrounding terrain."
FULL STORY: BLM-managed lands support NASA’s autonomous lunar rover testing in Imperial County
A Stark Picture of the Climate Gap in the Coachella Valley
In the low desert of Southern California, dwindling water supplies and a lack of infrastructure funding pose major challenges for working-class communities struggling to survive.
Mars Perseverance Rover and the Future Colonization of Mars
The 2020s is the decade of Mars. Last week NASA's Perseverance rover became the sixth American robot to land on the red planet, and the third visitor this month. Where are we going with Mars, who will get us there, and what is the ultimate goal?
NASA Looking for Help Planning the Built Environment—On Mars
You've got big ideas about how to make life better for lots of people. But are your ideas big enough for a home on Mars?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association