The USGS in Space Exploration, Mission Operations, and Training

The USGS and the Apollo missions

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In the early 1960s, USGS scientists were hard at work creating geologic maps of the Moon and training the Apollo astronauts to prepare them for their upcoming missions to the lunar surface. Astronaut training took many forms - USGS scientists taught the astronauts basic geology and mapping methods in both the classroom, and in the field. In fact, the USGS Astrogeology Science Center was established in Flagstaff, Arizona because that's where the USGS scientists were training the Apollo astronauts! Every astronaut who ever set foot on the Moon trained with the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona. The USGS even made full size copies of two possible lunar landing sites for the Apollo astronauts to train on! Learn more about how Cinder Lake Crater Field was made here.

Field training exercises were especially important for the astronauts because it gave them a chance to practice making geological observations of real rocks and real field sites. They also practiced reading maps and driving their rovers (seen to the right). Mission scientists and engineers also tested communication methods, spacesuit prototypes, and other equipment. USGS geologists had years of experience working at sites on Earth, and used what they knew about fieldwork to develop and test techniques, procedures, and tools for doing geologic work on the Moon and communicating with Mission Control. These efforts ultimately made scientific work on the Moon possible. A detailed account of the USGS Apollo mission activities can be found in Gerald Shaber's "Chronology of Activities from Conception through the End of Project Apollo" (USGS Open File Report 2005-1190).

Much of the Apollo astronaut training was led by USGS scientist, Dr. Gene Shoemaker. Click below to learn more about this leader in the Apollo mission preparation, and founder of the USGS Astrogeology Science Center.

The USGS and Mars exploration

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USGS scientists also work on Mars missions, including every Mars rover -  Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance! Some of them work on specific instruments and participate in rover operations (driving, sampling, and planning). Others create important datasets that are used to safely land and navigate. In fact, USGS scientists created the critical data which allowed the Perseverance rover to land safely in a location that would not have been possible before.

Learn more about the USGS's role in the Perseverance rover landing

USGS returns to the Moon with Artemis

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Today, USGS scientists are helping prepare the Artemis astronauts to return to the surface of the Moon. Just like during the Apollo mission, scientists at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center are helping train astronauts and test equipment that will help us explore the surface of the Moon. Teams work at locations on Earth that are geologically similar to the Moon (terrestrial analogs). They use these sites to teach astronauts geology, how to take samples, and make an observation in the field. These teams also test different exploration methods and equipment, so the Artemis missions can be as thorough as possible, while also being safe, and efficient with their time.

Learn more about how the USGS uses terrestrial analogs to study outer space.