NASA has certified a helicopter-based lunar lander training course in Colorado, marking a new milestone in crew preparation for upcoming Artemis missions. During a certification run on Aug. 26, 2025, astronauts Matthew Dominick and Mark Vande Hei trained in the Rocky Mountains to rehearse approach and landing techniques amid terrain and visual effects that resemble lunar conditions. NASA highlighted the achievement in an update published Sept. 15, 2025.
Why Colorado’s Mountains
The northern Colorado Rockies provide high-contrast terrain, sparse vegetation, and light-toned rock features that can produce visual illusions similar to those encountered near the Moon’s surface. These environments challenge depth perception, horizon cues, and landing-spot discrimination, offering a terrestrial stand-in for the lunar landscape without the complications of dust and vacuum.
What the Course Covers
The helicopter lander course is designed to sharpen astronaut decision-making during terminal descent and landing. Crews practice stabilized approaches, obstacle avoidance, and rapid reassessments of landing zones in a setting that stresses workload management and crew coordination. The certification indicates the curriculum, procedures, and safety framework have met NASA’s training standards for Artemis crews.
- Focus on lunar-like visual illusions and terrain-driven perception challenges
- Practice of approach profiles and landing zone evaluation
- Emphasis on crew coordination under time pressure
- Use of helicopter operations to emulate vertical flight dynamics applicable to lander phases
Role in the Artemis Training Pipeline
The newly approved course complements simulator sessions, mission operations rehearsals, and field geology training that prepare crews for exploration at the lunar South Pole. By embedding realistic visual and operational cues into flight practice, NASA aims to reduce risk during the final descent, one of the most time-critical phases of a lunar mission. The training supports Artemis objectives to establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon as a stepping stone to Mars.
What’s Next
With certification complete, NASA can integrate Colorado helicopter sorties into routine pre-mission preparation for astronaut teams. As Artemis mission profiles evolve, the curriculum is expected to adapt to new vehicle capabilities, landing system upgrades, and updated operational constraints for polar lighting and terrain. Continued iteration will help ensure crews are prepared for the demands of precision landing and surface operations in challenging lunar environments.
Source: NASA image article
