Before they can be sent out to explore planets or moons, rovers first need to be tested in the field. While there is no perfect analog for Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, there are various spots on Earth and elsewhere that are similar enough to conduct trial runs.

With new attention directed toward a future mission to the Jupiter system, locations such as Antarctica’s Lake Vostok and Borup Fiord Pass in the Canadian High Arctic could help NASA scientists prepare robots and instruments for the harsh environment of Europa.