
This isn’t actually the surface of Mars, though films have often used it to represent a Martian landscape (most recently, of course, in “The Martian”). It’s Wadi Rum, in southern Jordan. “Lawrence of Arabia” territory. I’m happy to report, on the basis of several personal expeditions to Wadi Rum, that oxygen tanks and protective space suits are not required there. Camels are good, though.
It’s an exciting time to be a science-fearing, reason-hating religious obscurantist and young-Earth creationist such as I’m occasionally alleged to be:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/alien-fossils-nasa-exploring-mars-2020-space-science/