NASA Uses VR for Lunar Training

NASA is preparing astronauts for the Artemis III mission, set to return humans to the Moon by 2027, through advanced virtual reality training at Johnson Space Center in Houston. The facility combines sandboxes, treadmills, and spacesuit mockups with VR simulations to replicate lunar surface conditions for extravehicular activities (EVAs).

Patrick Estep, NASA human performance engineer, noted VR’s value in creating a rapid, controlled, and repeatable environment that mimics mission scenarios. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins explained the team is practicing a variety of situations, with special attention to emergencies.

NASA’s Jeff Somers described virtual reality as essential for giving astronauts an overall understanding of EVAs before launch. This immersive training approach aims to improve safety, efficiency, and readiness as the agency works toward its goal of a crewed lunar landing in the coming years.