NASA astronauts practice 'moonwalking' in the Arizona desert (photos) [View all]

By Meredith Garofalo published 22 hours ago
And we're not talking about Michael Jackson style.



NASA astronaut Andre Douglas raises an American flag as NASA astronaut Kate Rubins looks on during their first simulated moonwalk in a week-long field test consisting of four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 13, 2024. (Image credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel)

Moonwalking in the Arizona desert?

No, it's not a remake of Michael Jackson's signature move; it's a training exercise for NASA astronauts that will be part of the future Artemis Program of missions to the lunar surface.

The week-long expedition across the San Francisco Volcanic Field near Flagstaff, AZ, will give NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas the opportunity to enact moonwalk scenarios in replica spacesuits on a landscape that's similar to the moon.

Throughout the training, the team will rehearse lunar operations from start to finish and will be supported by NASA engineers and field experts on the ground and virtually with a team of flight controllers and scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.



NASA astronaut Andre Douglas collects soil samples during the first in a series of four simulated moonwalks in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Norther Arizona on May 13, 2024. (Image credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel)

More:
https://www.space.com/nasa-astronauts-artemis-2-moonwalk-arizona-desert