Produced by: Tarun Mishra
NASA aims to land astronauts on the Moon in September 2026, marking a significant milestone in space exploration since the Apollo missions.
Extensive preparations are underway, including rigorous training and simulations like those recently conducted by astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas.
The astronauts engaged in simulated "moonwalks" in Arizona's northern desert, testing equipment and procedures crucial for lunar surface operations.
During their exercises, the astronauts encountered unexpected elements, including a cow in the desert landscape, captured in amusing photos released by NASA.
Instead of full spacesuits, the astronauts wore backpacks and mockups of their restrictive lunar suits, weighing approximately 70 pounds, highlighting the complexities of lunar operations.
Simulations included scenarios mimicking lunar conditions, such as navigating in low gravity and experiencing lunar day-night cycles.
The astronauts practiced gathering and analysing simulated Moon rocks, crucial for developing a detailed geological understanding ahead of the Artemis III mission.
Despite progress, significant challenges remain, including the first crewed flight of NASA's Orion spacecraft and the potential use of SpaceX's Starship for lunar descent.