NASA’s Artemis 2 astronauts have begun intensive moonwalk training just days after returning from their 10-day mission around the Moon, using the Orion spacecraft. This training is designed to prepare them for future lunar landings by simulating the physical challenges they will face on the Moon.
The crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after traveling farther from Earth than any humans since the Apollo program ended in 1972. Their mission successfully tested NASA’s Orion spacecraft, which looped around the Moon and returned safely, marking a crucial step toward long-term lunar exploration. Immediately after their return, the astronauts started practicing moonwalks in bulky spacesuits under close observation from technicians. The exercises focus on refining movements, conserving energy, and adapting to conditions similar to those on the lunar surface.
The timing of this training is deliberate. After spending days in microgravity, the astronauts’ muscles and balance are still adjusting to Earth’s gravity, which closely mimics how they will feel on the Moon. By training during this period, NASA aims to give them realistic preparation for the disorientation and physical strain they will encounter during actual lunar missions.
This effort is part of NASA’s broader Artemis program, which seeks to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish sustainable exploration. Artemis 2 was a critical test flight, paving the way for Artemis 3, which is expected to include the first crewed lunar landing in over half a century. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, along with his crewmates, is among those preparing for these historic missions, highlighting international collaboration in space exploration.