Fusion Media Group and NASA have partnered to take virtual reality (VR) fans, students and teachers everywhere to the red planet Mars. Mars 2030 simulates the first manned mission to Mars, with the planet and technology featured based on real NASA innovations.
The experience will launch in July 2017 for $14.99 USD on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR, but student and educators will be able to download it for free.
The terrain in the experience is modelled after real satellite data NASA has taken from the planet, and players will be able to feel what it’s like to drive the Mars (Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle) Rover and explore the surface of the planet. There’s also an android partner named Valkyrie that’ll accompany you – though there’s no guarantee NASA will actually have those ready for 2030.
There’s a total of 15 square miles of planet surface to explore, so the most curious players will find themselves exploring the surface potentially for days, if not weeks.
You won’t be able to try this at home without some pricey equipment, but the video below also demonstrates a special low-gravity rig for lucky players to use with the demo, cementing that extra-terrestrial experience. Known as the ARGOS Mars partial gravity simulation, it certainly looks like the premier way walk on a virtual version of the red planet.
Keep an eye out for Mars 2030 launching in July 2017, and for just a sample of the amazing sights you can see in NASA’s alien adventure, watch the trailer below.
For everything VR, on earth or off it, stay on VRFocus.
