The space industry has made tremendous strides over the last 50 years, with numerous achievements that have expanded our understanding of the universe. Yet, there is one major milestone that has remained elusive for over half a century—until now. NASA astronauts are once again training to accomplish something that has been absent from humanity's accomplishments since the Apollo missions.

NASA has successfully identified hidden planets outside our solar system, hundreds of light-years away, and has maintained a strong presence on the International Space Station, carrying out critical experiments and tests. With ambitious plans to land humans on Mars for the first time, NASA seems poised for monumental achievements. However, one unresolved issue from the past continues to overshadow the agency's remarkable progress.

It has been 56 years since astronauts first set foot on the Moon during the historic Apollo 11 mission, and NASA followed up with five more manned missions between 1969 and 1972. Despite this impressive history, it has been over half a century since the final Apollo mission, Apollo 17, saw Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt walk on the Moon. Now, NASA is tackling its long-standing failure to send humans back to the lunar surface.

What Are NASA Astronauts Now Training For?

According to Digital Trends, NASA has recently shared an update on the training progress of its Artemis II astronauts. The astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—are engaged in intensive training, with the goal of becoming the first humans to return to the Moon in over 50 years.

NASA has issued a promising update on the progress of its Artemis program tests, making a new Moon landing feel closer than ever (NASA/Rad Sinyak)

NASA's Artemis program has garnered significant attention, with the agency announcing positive progress on the tests that will ultimately bring astronauts back to the lunar surface. The Artemis missions make the prospect of a new Moon landing feel closer than ever.

Reid Wiseman and his team participated in NASA’s crew equipment interface test, simulating launch events and orbital activities while wearing their suits. This is a vital step in preparing astronauts for the Artemis II mission, which will use NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to send the Orion spacecraft on a lunar flyby. The mission is currently expected to take place sometime in April next year.

Although Artemis II is a manned version of the successful Artemis I test flight, it won’t be until Artemis III—scheduled for 2027 at the earliest—that astronauts will actually set foot on the Moon again. This will mark the long-awaited return of humans to lunar soil.

A New Chapter for NASA

The inability to return astronauts to the Moon for so many years was once considered a significant setback for NASA. Financial and regulatory barriers had previously blocked progress, but a change in direction during the Trump administration helped secure the funding needed to push the dream of returning to the Moon forward.

NASA has made substantial progress with the Artemis program, with Artemis I—an unmanned test flight of the Orion spacecraft—already traveling within 80 miles of its intended lunar destination in November 2022. Artemis II will pave the way for future missions, bringing the agency one step closer to accomplishing the monumental task of sending astronauts back to the Moon.

In a recent statement, NASA detailed the important steps taken during training sessions. The crew performed a series of critical launch-day tasks, such as communications checkouts and suit leak checks. For the first time, the astronauts were fully connected to the spacecraft’s communication and life control systems, with all umbilicals attached as the spacecraft operated on full power.

NASA emphasized that these hands-on experiences are crucial in ensuring the astronauts are fully prepared to tackle any challenges they may face during their flight. The training is designed to help the crew act swiftly and efficiently to overcome any issues that might arise, ultimately making the goal of returning to the Moon more achievable than ever.

As NASA continues its training efforts, the prospect of humans walking on the Moon again is becoming a reality—one that will undoubtedly be remembered as another iconic chapter in the agency's storied history.