NASA Ames Simulators Prepare for 2028 Artemis Mission
The facility is refining astronaut training and display systems to bridge the gap since the last lunar landing in 1972.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Space
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NASA Ames Research Center is using its Vertical Motion Simulator in Mountain View to prepare for the agency's planned 2028 crewed lunar mission. This research project is currently gathering data to refine spacecraft displays and astronaut training protocols for the upcoming Artemis mission.
Why it matters
The simulation work directly supports the goal of returning humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972 by optimizing the critical interface between pilot and spacecraft. By sharing findings with teams in Houston, researchers are ensuring that flight systems and crew procedures are battle-tested before the 2028 launch.
The Vertical Motion Simulator in Mountain View is the largest of its kind globally. It relies on a tower structure to generate realistic motion profiles that mirror the physics of lunar landing conditions.
The players
NASA Ames Research Center
A California-based research facility specializing in aeronautics, exploration technology, and supercomputing for space missions.
Artemis mission
A NASA-led program focused on returning human crews to the lunar surface to establish a long-term presence.
The details
The facility recreates the high-fidelity physical experience of spacecraft maneuvers using a motion platform that moves within a vertical tower. This setup allows engineers to test how astronauts respond to visual and physical flight inputs under simulated landing conditions. Researchers then deliver these performance benchmarks to mission control teams in Houston to update vehicle display ergonomics and pilot training curricula.
Timeline
1972: The year NASA last conducted a crewed mission to the Moon.
2028: The scheduled launch year for the Artemis mission.
The Tech Race
This project represents a critical bridge between legacy lunar landing knowledge and the modern requirements of the Artemis mission architecture. It serves as the primary ground-based preparation phase before the Artemis program executes its crewed landing in 2028.
The project directly influences the safety and mission success parameters for the upcoming 2028 crewed flight. While the research is currently internal, the resulting design changes will dictate the cockpit interfaces that astronauts rely on during the final lunar descent.
The takeaway
NASA is prioritizing high-fidelity physical simulation to bridge the half-century gap in lunar flight experience. Observers should track the Artemis project's mission milestones leading up to the 2028 launch window for further updates on flight hardware readiness.
Further reading
For more on the latest advancements in exploration hardware, see Space.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. continue to prioritize funding for crewed missions to the Moon?
