Arizona desert chosen for terrain similarities: craters, faults, volcanic features
Evaluating gaps and challenges for lunar South Pole operations, including data collection and communications between teams in Houston
Four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs following Artemis 3 protocols
Mockup spacesuits worn by Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas for technology demonstrations and hardware checkouts
NASA conducting desert field test for lunar operations in Flagstaff, Arizona
Technology demonstrations include heads-up display using augmented reality or lighting beacons to guide crew back to lander
Two integrated teams participating: astronauts, engineers, experts, flight controllers and scientists
NASA is conducting a week-long field test in the desert of Flagstaff, Arizona to prepare for lunar operations during its Artemis campaign. Two integrated teams, consisting of astronauts, engineers, field experts, flight controllers and scientists from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston are participating in the simulation. The astronauts, Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas, are wearing mockup spacesuit systems as they traverse through the desert to conduct technology demonstrations, hardware checkouts and Artemis science-related operations.
The field test includes four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs that follow the same protocol for operations on Artemis 3 and beyond. NASA will evaluate gaps and challenges associated with lunar South Pole operations, including data collection and communications between the flight control team and science team in Houston for rapid decision-making protocols.
Teams will demonstrate technology that may be used for future Artemis missions, such as display and navigation data stream capabilities in the form of a heads-up display using augmented reality or lighting beacons that could help guide crew back to the lander. The Arizona desert was chosen for its terrain similarities to the lunar surface, including craters, faults and volcanic features.
NASA's Artemis III mission aims to make history by landing humans on the lunar south pole, a harsh and undiscovered region. Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman, the first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon.
NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas participated in a week-long field test consisting of four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 13, 2024.
The training exercise involves rehearsing lunar operations from start to finish while wearing replica spacesuits in a landscape similar to the moon.
NASA engineers and field experts support the astronauts on the ground and virtually with a team of flight controllers and scientists at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
During the week, there will be four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs that follow the same protocol for operations on Artemis 3 and beyond.
Technology used in the demonstrations could be included in future Artemis program missions, including augmented reality or lighting beacons to help navigate back to the lander.
The Arizona desert was chosen for its terrain similarities to the moon, featuring volcanic traits, craters and faults.
This is field test number five performed by NASA Johnson’s Joint Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Test Team.
NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas are practicing moonwalking operations for Artemis III in the San Francisco Volcanic Field north of Flagstaff, Arizona.
"Artemis III aims to make history by landing humans on the lunar south pole, a harsh and undiscovered region."
University of Maryland geologist Patrick Whelley will help run a simulation for astronauts preparing for the lunar surface from May 12 to May 21, 2024.
New technologies based on recent scientific developments will be used during the walks to determine what tasks astronauts can perform in a mobility-limited suit.
Safety procedures for the harsh lunar environment at the South Pole will also be covered in the simulation.
NASA is conducting a week-long field test in the San Francisco Volcanic Field near Flagstaff, Arizona to practice moonwalking operations for Artemis III.
