How Earth’s Sand Dunes Can Take You to Mars? - Varsha Natarajan

Year
2026
Organisation
Ulster University
Tags
Mars
Mars Exploration
Martian Surface
Martian Winds
Martian Sand
Sandstorms
Sand Dunes
Aeolian Processes
planetary science
space exploration
Space Missions
NASA
NASA InSight
InSight Lander
Artemis
Human Spaceflight
Mars missions
Mars Landing
Spacecraft Landing
Space Mission Safety
Planetary Geology
Geomorphology
Sediment Transport
Wind Modelling
computational modelling
computer simulation
satellite data
remote sensing
Martian Terrain
Mars Atmosphere
Mars Climate
Planetary Atmospheres
Dune Migration
Wind Speed
space technology
Aerospace Research
Future Mars Missions
Human Exploration
Mars Colonisation
Earth Analogue Sites
Summary

This research investigates how wind transports sand across Mars to improve the safety of future space missions. Combining measurements from Earth-based analogue dunes with computational modelling and NASA satellite data, the approach predicts Martian winds and sandstorms with high accuracy, potentially reducing landing risks and supporting future human exploration of Mars.