Astronauts Finished Planetary Geology Field Training
The PANGAEA program completed a three-week course to prepare crew members for scientific lunar surface exploration.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Geology
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Astronauts have concluded a three-week geology training course designed to build competency in site documentation and rock identification. This initiative is a core component of the PANGAEA program, which prepares crew members for future lunar surface missions.
Why it matters
As space agencies target the Moon for long-term exploration, the ability for astronauts to autonomously interpret and sample planetary terrain becomes critical. This training ensures crews can conduct meaningful geological fieldwork during the Artemis missions.
The training covered a three-week curriculum involving 19 astronauts from 4 distinct space agencies. This cohort marks the latest group to complete the program, which has been in operation since 2016.
The players
PANGAEA
An international space training program focused on planetary geology skills and crew operations for lunar surface exploration.
The details
The PANGAEA program integrates theoretical lessons with intensive field exercises in locations like the Bletterbach canyon in Italy, the Ries crater in Germany, and Lanzarote in Spain. Participants practice site documentation and rock identification, following a structured workflow that requires planning with scientists before entering the field and comprehensive post-exercise data reviews.
Timeline
2016: The PANGAEA program began training astronauts.
September 2026: Report published on the recent three-week training.
The Tech Race
This geology curriculum is explicitly designed to meet the operational demands of the Artemis Moon missions. It represents a standardized approach to field research that distinguishes these upcoming lunar sorties from the legacy exploration models of the Apollo era.
The skills developed in these field exercises are intended for use by astronauts during upcoming lunar surface missions. These specialized training sessions establish the geological protocols that will govern how samples are selected and documented on the Moon.
The takeaway
The program successfully establishes a repeatable training methodology for planetary surface exploration. Future updates on crew deployment and specific lunar surface targets will confirm how these geological skill sets are applied in actual mission environments.
Further reading
For broader context on planetary scientific research, visit the Geology section.
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