Alexander Lewis 
Dec 20, 2023
In the rigorous preparation for space missions, NASA's astronauts endure challenges that test their mental and physical prowess to the limit. Surprisingly, a part of their training resembles a playful visit to a kids' playground.
A recent video from NASA unveils astronauts — Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen — gliding down a slide while gripping onto an orange inflatable. At first glance, it may seem like fun, but there's a serious purpose behind it.
The space agency explains that this slide practice is a critical part of preparing for emergency scenarios during the post-splashdown moments following next year's Artemis II lunar mission aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft. Exiting the craft swiftly upon landing poses challenges due to gravity, an element astronauts won't have experienced for over a week.
Read more: Meet 'Roo-Ver', Australia's first moon-roving marvel
Safety is paramount for NASA, prompting exhaustive simulations to prepare for any contingency. These exercises not only familiarise astronauts with mission intricacies but also unveil unforeseen challenges, allowing the team to address them beforehand.
Training will continue until the launch of Artemis II, scheduled for November 2024. This mission marks humans' return to the moon's proximity after fifty years, featuring a lunar flyby in a captivating 10-day journey.
Last year's successful crewless moon flight tested NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for Artemis II's endeavours.
