Enkhtuvshin Doyodkhuu, Mongolia

The red sands of the Gobi Desert might be thousands of miles from NASA, but they may be one of the best places on Earth to prepare for life on Mars. This week on Aspiring Martians, I spoke with Enkhtuvshin Doyodkhuu, aka Dono, project manager of Mars-V, a visionary initiative in Mongolia that combines a Mars simulation habitat, an international science and innovation center, and a satellite city that blends research, tourism, and futuristic thinking. The idea? Build a place where future astronauts, scientists, and curious minds can train and test for the real deal—while experiencing the beauty and extremity of a landscape that feels more Martian than Earth-bound.

We talked about the unpredictability of Mars simulations (hint: if something can go wrong, it probably will), how those moments are exactly what makes them invaluable for future mission planning, and how to stay resilient in the face of skepticism. Dono also shared his big-picture vision for Mongolia’s role in the future of space exploration and why the Gobi’s windswept plains might just shape the next generation of Martian pioneers.

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