Audio long read: How NASA astronauts are training to walk on the Moon in 2026
Digest
NASA is preparing for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon's South Pole in 2026. To ensure a successful mission, NASA is conducting extensive training exercises, including a recent simulation in Arizona known as Jet-5. This exercise involved astronauts in spacesuits exploring a volcanic landscape, collecting rock and soil samples, and navigating challenging terrain. The simulation also tested new tools and procedures for lunar exploration, such as a handheld light that astronauts can use to illuminate the area near their feet. The Artemis III mission is a significant undertaking, with a budget of over $100 billion US dollars. While the primary goal is to safely transport astronauts to the Moon and back, science is an integral part of the mission. NASA is training astronauts in field geology to help them explore the lunar landscape and determine which rocks to collect. The Artemis III mission will be the first time humans have set foot on the Moon since the last Apollo crew in 1972, and it is expected to provide valuable insights into the Moon's history and geology.
Outlines
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NASA Astronaut Training for Artemis III
This Chapter delves into NASA's preparations for the Artemis III mission, focusing on the training astronauts are undergoing to prepare for a lunar landing in 2026. It highlights the recent Jet-5 exercise, a simulated moonwalk in Arizona, where astronauts practiced collecting rocks, navigating challenging terrain, and testing new tools and procedures.
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Keywords
Artemis III
Artemis III is a NASA mission planned for 2026 that aims to land astronauts on the Moon's South Pole. It is the third mission in the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there. Artemis III will be the first time humans have set foot on the Moon since the last Apollo crew in 1972.
Jet-5
Jet-5 is a simulated moonwalk exercise conducted by NASA in Arizona. It involved astronauts in spacesuits exploring a volcanic landscape, collecting rock and soil samples, and navigating challenging terrain. The exercise tested new tools and procedures for lunar exploration, such as a handheld light that astronauts can use to illuminate the area near their feet.
Lunar South Pole
The Lunar South Pole is a region on the Moon that has never been explored by astronauts. It is a scientifically important area because it contains permanently shadowed craters that may hold water ice. Artemis III will be the first mission to land astronauts on the Lunar South Pole.
NASA
NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program. NASA has been responsible for many significant achievements in space exploration, including the Apollo missions to the Moon and the Hubble Space Telescope.
Moon Rocks
Moon rocks are rocks that have been collected from the Moon. They provide valuable information about the Moon's history, geology, and composition. NASA astronauts have collected moon rocks during the Apollo missions and are planning to collect more during the Artemis missions.
Space Exploration
Space exploration is the investigation of celestial objects and phenomena beyond Earth. It involves sending spacecraft and humans into space to gather data, conduct experiments, and explore new worlds. Space exploration has led to many scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
Lunar Geology
Lunar geology is the study of the Moon's rocks, minerals, and landforms. It helps us understand the Moon's history, formation, and evolution. NASA is training astronauts in lunar geology to help them explore the Moon's surface and collect valuable samples.
Apollo Missions
The Apollo missions were a series of spaceflights conducted by NASA from 1961 to 1972. The goal of the Apollo program was to land humans on the Moon. The Apollo 11 mission in 1969 was the first time humans set foot on the Moon.
International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. It is a joint project of five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ISS is used for scientific research and to test technologies for future space exploration.
Q&A
What is the Artemis III mission, and what is its significance?
Artemis III is a NASA mission planned for 2026 that aims to land astronauts on the Moon's South Pole. It is the third mission in the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there. Artemis III will be the first time humans have set foot on the Moon since the last Apollo crew in 1972, and it is expected to provide valuable insights into the Moon's history and geology.
What is Jet-5, and what is its purpose?
Jet-5 is a simulated moonwalk exercise conducted by NASA in Arizona. It involved astronauts in spacesuits exploring a volcanic landscape, collecting rock and soil samples, and navigating challenging terrain. The exercise tested new tools and procedures for lunar exploration, such as a handheld light that astronauts can use to illuminate the area near their feet. The purpose of Jet-5 is to prepare astronauts for the challenges they will face during the Artemis III mission.
What are some of the challenges that NASA faces in preparing for the Artemis III mission?
NASA faces several challenges in preparing for the Artemis III mission, including a limited budget compared to the Apollo program, a slower mission cadence, and the need to develop new technologies and procedures for lunar exploration. Additionally, NASA is competing with other space agencies, such as China, which has announced its own plans to send humans to the Moon.
What is the role of science in the Artemis III mission?
Science is an integral part of the Artemis III mission. NASA is training astronauts in field geology to help them explore the lunar landscape and determine which rocks to collect. The mission is expected to provide valuable insights into the Moon's history, geology, and composition.
What are some of the key takeaways from the Jet-5 exercise?
The Jet-5 exercise demonstrated the importance of astronaut training, the need for new tools and procedures for lunar exploration, and the value of collaboration between scientists and astronauts. The exercise also highlighted the challenges of working in a harsh and unfamiliar environment, such as the Lunar South Pole.
Show Notes
In 2026, NASA aims to send humans back to the Moon's surface, as part of the Artemis III mission. In preparation, astronauts have been performing moonwalking simulations to ensure that they are able to make the most of their precious time on the lunar surface. In one dress rehearsal, a pair of astronauts took part in a training exercise in an Arizona volcanic field, working with a science team to practice doing geology work in difficult conditions designed to mimic some that will be experienced at the lunar south pole.
This is an audio version of our Feature: How NASA astronauts are training to walk on the Moon in 2026
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