NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, entered the Orion spacecraft on 31 July, donning their Orion crew survival suits to rehearse various mission-critical tasks ahead of their scheduled launch early next year as part of the Artemis II mission.
The training session simulated both launch day conditions and in-orbit procedures, allowing the crew to gain hands-on experience with the actual spacecraft and systems they will operate during the mission. This includes communications testing, suit pressure and leak checks, and practising their response to potential in-flight anomalies such as system faults or cabin air issues.
“With just six months to go before Artemis II sends astronauts around the moon for the first time in 53 years, excitement is building,” said NASA’s Jim Duffy. “Apollo captured the spirit and ambition of a generation – now it’s Artemis’ turn. These astronauts aren’t just flying a flag; they’re carrying the pride, power and promise of the United States of America.”
The crew began their training day in the Multi-Operation Support Building, where they suited up before boarding zero-emission crew transport vehicles. Once inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, where Orion is undergoing final preparations including propellant loading, the astronauts climbed aboard the fully powered spacecraft to carry out a series of simulated operations under realistic launch and flight conditions.
NASA engineers created several scenarios for the astronauts to work through, including a simulated failure of the spacecraft’s air revitalisation fan, which controls oxygen levels and removes carbon dioxide. The training is designed to ensure the crew are familiar with how to react quickly and safely under pressure, an essential skill for any mission venturing into deep space.
“This training highlights the enormous effort by our operations and development teams to ensure we’re ready for launch,” said NASA’s Jennifer Quinn. “Each activity has been precisely timed and coordinated – and now it’s all coming together in practice.”
In a separate test, known as the crew equipment interface test, the astronauts swapped their spacesuits for cleanroom garments and boarded the unpowered spacecraft to rehearse a range of tasks they’ll perform during the mission. These included adjusting seating configurations for more cabin space post-launch, inspecting storage lockers and checking cameras, cables and environmental control systems.
The crew also familiarised themselves with everyday aspects of life in space, reviewing cabin layout, sleep arrangements, hygiene systems and onboard checklists.
The Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence on and around the moon, paving the way for the first crewed missions to Mars. Alongside scientific exploration and international cooperation, NASA sees the moon as a proving ground for future missions deeper into the solar system all in the name of advancing knowledge and technology for the benefit of humanity.