As NASA’s Artemis programme prepares to return humans to the Moon, astronauts will face extreme isolation, harsh environments, and a range of physical and psychological challenges.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, set to pilot Artemis II—the first crewed Orion capsule mission beyond the Moon—emphasised the mission's difficulty. “Space is really challenging. It’s harder than it looks,” he said, noting that resources like water and food are finite with no immediate resupply. Even daily routines, including hygiene, could disturb fellow crew members in the confined spacecraft.

Artemis II marks the initial step toward establishing a lunar base near the Moon’s South Pole, where astronauts will live for months, enduring long lunar nights, extreme temperatures, dust, and high radiation levels.

Sergi Vaquer Araujo, head of space medicine at the European Space Agency (ESA), highlighted the need for astronauts who excel across multiple domains. Physical fitness remains crucial, and chronic conditions such as asthma or heart issues can disqualify candidates. Equally important are cognitive and psychological skills, including teamwork, resilience, and the ability to cope with stress in confined, isolated conditions.

British surgeon Nina Purvis, who spent a winter at ESA’s Concordia research station in Antarctica, described the experience as a “White Mars” simulation, highlighting the importance of cooperation, adaptability, and mental health management. Experiments there, including mindfulness exercises, have informed strategies for future space missions.

Meanwhile, architects Sebastian Aristotelis and Karl-Johan Sørensen tested lunar habitat prototypes in northern Greenland, living 60 days in a prefabricated, solar-powered structure to simulate Moon-base conditions. Their experiment focused on practical living, psychological adaptation, and design challenges for future lunar habitats.

Glover, who has trained for years for the Moon mission, acknowledged the uncertainty of leaving Earth behind. “I don’t know if I’m fully prepared psychologically. Ask me that when I get back,” he said.

The Artemis programme represents humanity’s next leap in lunar exploration, combining rigorous astronaut selection, psychological preparation, and innovative habitat design to overcome the unique challenges of life on the Moon.

With inputs from BBC