NASA · Ruimte

NASA Astronaut Candidates Undergo Rigorous Training

NASA's 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class is halfway through its nearly two-year training program, preparing for missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars.

The candidates have been engaged in various training activities, including geology field exercises in New Mexico and Iceland, where they practiced geological observations, sampling, navigation, and teamwork relevant to lunar missions.

Flight training is a significant component, involving flights on NASA's WB-57s and T-38 supersonic jets to build confidence and adaptability. Candidates also undergo altitude chamber runs to simulate space conditions and practice safety protocols.

Water survival training, conducted in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, prepares candidates for potential emergency landings in remote environments, while also developing teamwork and decision-making skills.

Additional training includes intensive Russian language classes, cross-cultural preparation, operating spacecraft systems, spacewalk simulations, and learning emergency procedures and spacecraft maintenance.

The class is on track to graduate in 2027 and will then join the active astronaut corps, awaiting flight assignments to contribute to research on the International Space Station or future deep space exploration.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.