Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
NASA’s Artemis II crew, including astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, recently conducted field training in Iceland. The Nordic island’s volcanic landscape serves as a stand-in for the lunar surface, offering a valuable simulation for the upcoming mission.
Credit : NASA
The training site was chosen for its similarity to the moon’s geology. Iceland’s basalts and breccias resemble those found on the lunar surface, providing a practical environment for astronauts to study and practice geological fieldwork.
Credit : NASA
Astronauts practiced using tools such as hammers, scoops, and chisels to collect rock samples. The training also included navigation and expedition skills to prepare the crew for conducting geological investigations on the moon.
Credit : NASA
Iceland’s volcanic terrain, featuring dark basalts and angular breccias, closely resembles the moon’s surface. This similarity helps astronauts acclimate to the types of features they will encounter during their lunar missions.
Credit : NASA
During their field training, astronauts provided feedback to instructors, helping refine the training program and identify potential sites for future Artemis crew practice sessions.
Credit : NASA
While the tools used for geological sampling have not changed much since the Apollo missions, the Artemis tools are adapted to account for the constraints of space travel, such as weight and usability while wearing pressurized gloves.
Credit : NASA
The Artemis II mission will be NASA’s first crewed flight under the Artemis program, flying approximately 4,600 miles beyond the far side of the moon. Although the crew will not land on the moon, their training is crucial for achieving mission objectives.
Credit : ESA
The training prepares astronauts to study lunar surface features from orbit, including craters. Accurate observations and descriptions from astronauts will support scientific understanding of the moon’s geology, benefiting future missions.
Credit : NASA