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Lesson

NASA's Astronaut Training for Moon Mission

NASA is training astronauts for the Artemis II mission, its first lunar fly-around in over 50 years, using a simulator at Johnson Space Center.

Source:bbc.com

Standard — natural English

59 words · ~1 min read

NASA is preparing for its historic Artemis II mission, the first lunar fly-around in over 50 years. Training began in 2023 after the crew was named. Astronauts train in the Orion mission simulator at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The simulator mimics the real spacecraft, allowing astronauts to rehearse flight phases, practice communications, and run through possible emergencies.

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Test your understanding

1. When did training for the Artemis II mission begin?

2. Where does much of the astronaut training take place?

3. What does the Orion mission simulator replicate?

4. Who is the chief training officer for the Artemis II mission?

Discussion

What do you think are the most important skills astronauts need for space missions?

Vocabulary

  • historic

    important in history

    "The launch of the Artemis II mission is a historic event."

  • simulator

    a device that imitates a real system

    "The astronauts train in a simulator that looks like the real spacecraft."

  • contingencies

    possible events that could happen

    "Astronauts practice for contingencies during their training."

  • rehearse

    to practice for a performance

    "The crew will rehearse every phase of the flight."

  • mission

    a specific task or purpose

    "The mission is to explore the moon."