Artemis II crew refines lunar geology skills in Iceland
From to , 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 Iceland.
In , Jeremy, Jenni and NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Raja Chari completed geology training at Kameshtashtan (also called Kamestastin or Mistastin), a remote meteorite impact crater in northern Labrador. The expedition was led by Western University professor Gordon Osinski and the CSA.
This time, the whole Artemis II crew, accompanied by flight control team members and instructors, expanded their expertise with hands-on experience in Vatnajökull National Park's remote northern region. 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.
Located near the Arctic Circle, Iceland has a rocky landscape: more than 60% is composed of lava deserts and glaciers, with virtually no vegetation cover. Apollo astronauts, who travelled to several locations for geology training in the s, reported that Iceland – where they trained in and – was the most Moon-like of the sites they visited.
"I spent around 10 days exploring the volcanically active regions of Iceland, a place so stark and barren I felt as if I were already on the Moon. We were there in the summertime, and it seemed like the Sun never set."
CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen samples rocks using rock hammers during a geology training expedition in Iceland. (Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz)
During the NASA-led training, the Artemis II crew practised using specialized instruments in Iceland's unique Moon-like topography. They also refined spacewalking techniques, tested geological tools, and navigated lunar-like landscapes both during the day and at night, in low-angle lighting similar to conditions that astronauts on the Moon will experience.
This kind of training is crucial in preparing astronauts for missions to the Moon. By sharpening their ability to select optimal rock samples for return to Earth and navigate efficiently on the Moon, they will be maximizing the missions' scientific benefits. The retrieval of lunar samples is essential for studying the solar system's history, providing insights into Earth's geological evolution given the Moon's stable geological conditions.