NASA Tests Ways to Crash Land on Mars

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, I don't have specific information on NASA conducting tests to crash land on Mars. However, NASA and other space agencies have indeed been involved in various missions and research to land safely on Mars, rather than crash land.

Landing on Mars is a complex and challenging task due to the planet's thin atmosphere and the need for precise entry, descent, and landing (EDL) techniques. NASA has used a variety of methods to safely land spacecraft on Mars, including the use of heat shields, parachutes, retrorockets, and, in some cases, the "sky crane" technique, as demonstrated by the Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover in 2012.

It's important to note that crash-landing on Mars would not be a typical or desirable approach for any scientific mission because it would likely result in the destruction of the spacecraft and its instruments. Mars missions are carefully planned and executed to ensure a safe and controlled landing.

Since my information is not up to date, I recommend checking the latest news and updates from NASA and other space agencies for any developments related to Mars landing techniques or tests that may have occurred since September 2021.