How are scientists planning to apply their studies of these deserts to the future?

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

We are talking about NASA's scientific projects aimed to forecast the possibilities of human life in other planets such as D-RATS, known as Desert Research and Technology studies. Scientists are planning to apply their studies of these deserts to the future of humankind. Ot The Ames Research Center in the Mojave Desert, California, operated by NASA, focuses its efforts on developing research such as the Spaceward Bound to share this valuable information with teachers who can share their experience with their students at school.

The scientists and educators in the Mojave studied microbial life in the desert and the similarities of geologic formations to those of the moon and Mars. Teams also used a hot air balloon to test new remote-sensing equipment to detect subterranean formations. So they are going to keep furthering things like this.