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Welcome aboard - Introducing the C-Space Project Mars simulation base. A staff member looks on in the Gobi Desert.

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Suiting up - A young astronaut shows off the sleek mock space suits at the base.

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A to B - The 4WD vehicle is powered by electricity, and is designed to resemble what a real Mars vehicle would look like.

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Stepping out - This space worker steps out into the alien world. Looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, doesn't it?

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Guarding the door - Stepping out into the desert, with an astronaut cutout buckling under the heat.

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Resting easy - Where brave astronauts rest their head after a hard day's work, or during intergalactic travel.

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The real thing - A view of the C-Space Project Mars simulation base during dusk. It's eerie how much the Gobi Desert resembles the Mars landscape.

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Capsule collection - A bunch of students convene around a space capsule.

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Compact capsule - Check out the interior of this space capsule. Being compact is key, because every inch costs!

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Red flag - Students step out from the space capsule and march onto Mars. But where are their space suits?

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Looking on - Striking a pose? Or surveying the terrain? Maybe it's both for this C-Space staff member.

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Crash landing - A space capsule looks weathered and battered, as if it had crash landed onto the planet's surface.

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'A Space Odyssey' - This black slab apparently resembles black Mars matter. It looks like an homage to the monolith in '2001: A Space Odyssey.'

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Imposter - The base is full of realistic replicas and models, but this astronaut sign isn't fooling anyone.

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Into the unknown - An astronaut wanders into the unknown, not knowing what they will find.

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I spy - Looking through a monocular, intended to spy faraway objects, or even approaching lifeforms.

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Doctor's surgery - Like something out of a film set, a clinically clean laboratory, where astronauts may have tests or a medical checkup.

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One-way mirror - An alternate view of the lab, where onlookers may examine the patient in secret.

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Rest easy - A close-up of the cozy capsules where space workers lay down.

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Building the rocket - Kids work together to construct a toy rocket at the base.

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Homework - Kids read up on the C-Space Project Mars simulation base. With all the high-tech equipment about, it's surprising that their using an archaic book.

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Inspecting a problem - Staff inspect a potential problem on the base. Note the plastic bag to the right, that might be floating around on the real Mars.

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Rocket practice - Students test out toy rockets at the base. Who knows, one day they might fly the real thing.

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Young patriots - Students lineup in front of the Chinese flag at the base. China has made big strides in its space program, with crewed expeditions to the Moon planned for the future.

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Hands up - Who knows the answer? Students are quick to answer a question during a lesson.

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Mars exodus - Students march through the Mars landscape. The image looks almost Biblical, or like something out of a sci-fi film.

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From the darkness - Students are snapped from an installation, designed to look like a cave. Who knows what else is lurking in the darkness?

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Fake veg - Realists beware, even the vegetables are fake here. A shot from the base's mock laboratory.

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Rocket fuel - Potatoes are preserved in jars, to keep them edible for months and months to come. Storing food and sustenance is a huge part of space travel.

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Lunch tables - Here's the base's eating corner, where astronauts munch down on mock potatoes and leeks.

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Dusk -

The simulation base looks tranquil in the dusk light. Do they have rental housing in the Gobi Desert?

Now, have a look at Earth's alien landscapes. 

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