NASA Exploration Experience Guide

Bringing back samples is a major component of the science objectives for Artemis just as it was for the Apollo missions. In the Apollo era, tools were modified for almost every mission, which is why they are not being reused for the Artemis missions. Tools have evolved in response to new knowledge, and the Artemis missions will require a greater number of samples with smaller average weight, so developing new tools is essential. Developing these new tools requires using knowledge from the Apollo era. NASA researched designs used on the lunar surface in the Apollo era, why they were used, which designs were not used, what worked well, which designs changed throughout the mission, and why they changed. Out of this research, new tools are being developed for the Artemis missions.

This guide contains two hands-on sections. The first section is the Engagement activity. This is a 45-minute activity where participants explore the constraints of spacesuit design and test a glove that can be used to perform work on the Moon. The second section is the Experience activity. It is a 3-hour experience which is broken up into three 1-hour phases. During the Experience, participants will create and modify a geological tool to collect rock samples on the lunar surface. In this activity, participants will practice problem-solving strategies to construct a protocol, or a set of instructions, for minimizing the amount of data lost or damaged during transit.

Student Guide

Educator Guide

Student Video

Relevant Resources: 

• NASA Exploration Experience: Working With Spacesuit Gloves
• NASA Prepares to Explore Moon: Spacesuits, Tools
• NASA’s Artemis I Moon Mission: Launch to Splashdown Highlights
• Artemis II: Mission Overview
• #AskNASA┃How Will Astronauts Dig on the Moon?