Artemis-II: Astronauts train for emergency scenarios that could hit Moon mission

New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 20, 2023 17:26 IST

In a critical step towards their historic journey around the Moon, the Artemis II astronauts have completed an intensive emergency procedure training at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center.

The crew practiced exiting the Orion spacecraft under emergency conditions, a necessary preparation for the potential challenges they may face upon returning to Earth.

The team, including Nasa astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, worked alongside Artemis II spacesuit technician Bill Owens. Their training focused on rapidly evacuating through both the side and top hatches of the Orion capsule.

This exercise is vital to ensure that the astronauts can swiftly disembark from the spacecraft in the event of an emergency splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, potentially even before the arrival of the recovery team.

The Artemis II mission, a pivotal part of Nasa's Artemis program, aims to send humans back to the Moon for the first time in decades. The upcoming 10-day flight test will not only serve as a demonstration of the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket but also as a stepping stone for future long-term lunar exploration and scientific endeavors.

This mission is particularly significant as it marks the first crewed lunar flyby in the Artemis series, setting the stage for subsequent missions that will see astronauts landing on the Moon's surface.

The program's ambitious goals include sending the first woman and the first person of color to the Moon, showcasing Nasa's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the new era of space exploration.