Artemis II Crew Undergoes Lunar-Like Geology Training in Iceland

The Artemis II crew has concluded intensive lunar-like geology training in Iceland, a vital step in their preparations for the upcoming mission around the Moon. The training involved NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Backup crew members Andre Douglas and Jenni Gibbons also participated in the exercises. The volcanic terrain of Iceland, particularly within Vatnajökull National Park, provided an ideal environment to simulate the geological conditions astronauts may encounter in lunar orbit.

Simulating Lunar Environments

Iceland's unique geology, characterized by basalt lava flows and rugged surfaces, closely approximates features found on the Moon. This makes it a prime location for astronaut training, a practice that dates back to the Apollo missions. Cindy Evans, Artemis geology training lead at NASA's Johnson Space Center, noted, 'Apollo astronauts said Iceland was one of the most lunar-like training locations that they went to in their training.' She added that Iceland possesses 'lunar-like planetary processes – in this case, volcanism' and a landscape that 'looks like the Moon.'

Training Objectives and Activities

During their time in Iceland, the astronauts engaged in a variety of activities designed to sharpen their observational and operational skills. These included:

• Rock identification and landscape interpretation: Learning to distinguish different geological features.
• Navigation and expeditionary skills: Practicing movement and teamwork in challenging, barren environments.
• Tool testing: Utilizing equipment such as hammers, scoops, and chisels for collecting rock samples, similar to those used in Apollo missions.

While the Artemis II mission will not involve a lunar landing, the geology fundamentals developed during this field training are crucial for the mission's science objectives. Astronauts will visually study surface features like craters from orbit, documenting their color, reflectivity, and texture to reveal their geological history.

Significance for the Artemis II Mission

The Artemis II mission is slated for launch no earlier than February 6, 2026, and is planned to be a 10-day lunar flyby. It marks the first crewed flight of NASA's Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and the first time humans will travel to the vicinity of the Moon in over 50 years. The crew's training ensures they are prepared to make critical observations. Jacob Bleacher, NASA's chief exploration scientist, emphasized the importance of human observation, stating, 'Most people think that the moon is only gray, but the human eye can pick out a tremendous amount of detail.' This mission will also make history as Victor Glover will be the first person of color, Christina Koch the first woman, and Jeremy Hansen the first non-American to journey to the Moon.