The astronauts of Artemis 2, primed for their lunar journey in 2025, recently underwent a unique training session in an indoor pool. This exercise simulated their eventual return to Earth, preparing them for a safe splashdown in the ocean.
Set to orbit the moon in September 2025, these four astronauts will make their way back to Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft. Once the capsule reenters Earth’s atmosphere, they’ll need to disembark safely and be recovered from the ocean. While the actual recovery will take place at sea, the recent training sessions were conducted indoors at a NASA facility.
Despite facing some delays, the team is actively gearing up for the mission. Simulations covering spacecraft operations, rocket launches, and splashdown procedures are underway, with the U.S. Navy also involved in the recovery efforts.
The Artemis 2 crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Glover, the first Black astronaut to venture beyond low Earth orbit, and Koch, the first woman on the mission, add historic significance to the team. Hansen’s participation underscores Canada’s contribution to the Artemis Accords, with the Canadarm3 robotic arm playing a crucial role in NASA’s moon Gateway space station.
As preparations continue, these training sessions ensure that both the astronauts and the recovery team are well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in space exploration.
