NASA tests spacesuit technology for Artemis moon mission in Central Oregon
Nearly 60 years ago, astronauts with the Apollo moon mission hiked around the lava beds of Central Oregon in their spacesuits for a real-world geology training course. NASA thought the volcanic formations in Oregon would be a good analog for what the astronauts would find on the surface of the moon.
Now researchers and engineers are planning for the space agency’s next trip to the moon, and recently announced they were in Oregon once again last month testing new spacesuit technology.
As part of its Artemis Program, NASA aims to land a woman and person of color on the moon by the end of the decade. Artemis is considered preparation for a more ambitious project to land humans on Mars.
“During the Apollo program we landed in … relatively flat areas. When we go back to the moon, now we’re aiming for the lunar south pole,” said SETI Institute planetary scientist Pascal Lee, who is director of the NASA Haughton-Mars Project.
The moon’s south pole is much more rugged, with rocky hills and mountains. The geography makes several spots in Oregon ideal locations for testing.
Gloss