Training in geology
Training
Mars, the Moon and asteroids are all possible future destinations for human space exploration missions. Geology will be an important part of the fieldwork carried out on these celestial bodies.
For example, during the Apollo missions, one of the chief duties of the astronauts was to study the geology of the Moon. Lunar samples were collected and brought back to Earth.
Similarly, astronauts must be able to identify pertinent geological structures during their future missions. Their discoveries could contribute to a better understanding of the history of our own planet and that of the solar system.
As part of their astronaut training, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronauts participate in geology field expeditions to Canada's North.
On most of their geology field expeditions, our astronauts served on a research team from Western University's Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX) led by Gordon Osinski.
Akureyri and Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Read the news article entitled Artemis II crew refines lunar geology skills in Iceland
View the photo album of the Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland geology training
The entire Artemis II crew, including CSA and NASA backups, as well as NASA personnel during geology field training in Iceland. (Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz)
- Canadian astronauts: Jeremy Hansen and Jenni Gibbons
- Duration: to
- Place: Akureyri and Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland
Mission
- Practise geologic fieldwork in a unique Moon-like topography
- Refine spacewalking techniques, test geological tools and navigate lunar-like landscapes in low-angle lighting similar to conditions that astronauts on the Moon will experience
CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his Artemis II crewmates, including Canadian backup Jenni Gibbons and NASA backup Andre Douglas, took part in lunar geology training in Akureyri and Vatnajökull National Park's remote northern region, in Iceland. This area sits between 395 and 490 metres above sea level and is mostly an uninhabitable volcanic desert. With over 30 active volcanic regions, Iceland was specifically chosen for its icy soils resembling those anticipated on the Moon's south pole.
Mistastin (Kamestastin) crater, Newfoundland and Labrador
Read the blog post about the lunar geology training held in 2023
View the photo album of the 2023 geology training at the Mistastin (Kamestastin) crater in Labrador
Impact melt rock at the Mistastin crater in Labrador. (Credit: Gordon Osinski)
- Canadian astronauts: Jeremy Hansen and Jenni Gibbons
- Duration: to
- Place: Mistastin crater
Mission
- Practise geology in a meteorite impact crater, the Moon's most common landform
- Define the best instruments and techniques for geology work on the lunar surface
- Sample a rock called anorthosite, which is rare on Earth but abundant on the Moon
CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his NASA crewmate Christina Koch, both Mission Specialists on the upcoming Artemis II mission, take part in geology training in northern Labrador with CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons.
This meteorite impact crater, one of 31 in Canada, is a crucial training ground as we return humans to the Moon, because it's the best representation we have on Earth of what astronauts will find there.
CSA astronauts Jeremy Hansen and Jenni Gibbons, along with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Raja Chari, spent a week exploring Kamestastin (also called Mistastin), a remote meteorite impact crater in northern Labrador, for planetary science and lunar geology training. (Credits: CSA, NASA, European Union – Copernicus Program, contains modified Sentinel-2 data processed by Sentinel-Hub, Fulwell 73 UK Limited)
The adventure continues for CSA astronauts Jeremy Hansen and Jenni Gibbons, along with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Raja Chari in this second vlog on their lunar geology training expedition in Kamestastin. (Credits: CSA, NASA, Fulwell 73 UK Limited)
Mistastin (Kamestastin) crater, Newfoundland and Labrador
CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk and NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick during geology training at Mistastin Crater in Newfoundland and Labrador. (Credit: Gordon Osinski)
- Canadian astronaut: Joshua Kutryk
- Duration: to
- Place: Mistastin crater
Mission
- Practise geologic fieldwork with a realistic training ground for the lunar surface
- Learn how to identify the best rock samples to bring home from future missions
- Handle a rock called anorthosite, which is rare on Earth but common on the Moon
On this two-week expedition in northern Labrador, the astronauts and geologists visited a 28‑kilometre diameter impact crater formed 36 million years ago, when an asteroid crashed into Earth.
The astronauts hiked along its steep ledge, collecting rock samples and practising their geology skills. Future Moon explorers will be required to choose the best rock samples to bring back with them, to maximize the scientific return back on Earth.
Kaskawulsh Glacier, Yukon
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The Kaskawulsh Glacier is a vast, temperate valley glacier in the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon. It covers more than 25,000 square kilometres. (Credit: Laboratory for Cryospheric Research, University of Ottawa)
- Canadian astronaut: David Saint-Jacques
- Duration: to
- Place: St. Elias Mountains, Yukon
Mission:
- Learn methods and techniques for conducting geological fieldwork that can be applied to future space missions, for example to Mars or other planets
- Help researchers develop better predictive models used to make projections of glacier response to climate change
- Act as expedition medical officer
- Enhance his expedition-related skills
During this two-week expedition, David assisted the Simon Fraser University Glaciology Group, led by researcher Gwenn Flowers, in the study of the interaction of glaciers and freshwater bodies.
Ice is present elsewhere in the universe. It is now known that the planet Mars has polar ice caps and that other planets in the solar system are orbited by moons with frozen water.
Therefore, there is a link between terrestrial and planetary exploration!
Victoria Island, Northwest Territories
View the photo album of Victoria Island, Northwest Territories
"12 hours and 50 km later, we are back from exploring the most remote part of Tunnunik." (Credit: Gordon Osinski/Twitter)
- Canadian astronaut: Jeremy Hansen
- Duration: to
- Place: Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Mission:
- Confirm the origin of the crater
- Conduct geological reconnaissance studies
- Participate in studying the geology of the island and the impact rocks
- Get an introduction to instruments used on planetary exploration missions
Under the CSA's Science and Operational Applications Research (SOAR) program, the team developed new tools and techniques for using RADARSAT-2 images to:
- improve geological mapping
- promote land use management
- assist resource exploration in the Canadian Arctic
Clearwater Lake, Quebec (now called Wiyâshâkimî Lake)
View the photo album of Clearwater Lake, Quebec (now called Wiyâshâkimî Lake)
"Field geologist or mountain climber? Both!" (Credit: Gordon Osinski / Twitter)
Clearwater Lake, Northern Quebec. (Credit: Gordon Osinski)
- Canadian astronaut: David Saint-Jacques
- Duration: to
- Place: Northern Quebec
Mission:
- Study the processes related to the formation of impact craters
- Learn methods and techniques for conducting geological fieldwork that can be applied to future space missions, for example to the Moon or an asteroid
David and the research team studied West Clearwater Lake, since the geological structure of East Clearwater Lake is submerged. These two annular lakes were formed by meteorite impacts in the distant past.
Devon Island, Nunavut
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"The view from my office is fantastic!" (Credit: CSA)
- Canadian astronaut: Jeremy Hansen
- Duration: to
- Place: High Arctic
Mission:
- Accompany the research team studying impact cratering processes
- Study the Haughton crater
- Learn methods and techniques for conducting geological fieldwork that could be applied to future space missions, for example to the Moon or an asteroid
Astronaut Jeremy Hansen explains why astronauts undergo geology field training in remote regions and describes his expedition to Devon Island. (Credit: CSA)
Transcript of the video entitled Jeremy Hansen sets out for geology field training on Devon Island
This extremely remote and uninhabited island in Baffin Bay, Nunavut, features one of the best exposed and preserved impact craters on the planet.
The island's isolation presents many challenges: the team had to be flown to the site and had to manage with very limitedsupplies and support.
On Earth, evidence of the existence of impact craters is continually being erased by plate tectonics, volcanism and erosion.
Nevertheless, about 180 impact craters have been documented to date, 30 of them in Canada.