ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti analyses rock sample

ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti uses a hand lens to observe the minerals present in a rock sample during the PANGAEA training session in Lofoten, Norway. 

ESA astronauts Alexander Gerst and Samantha Cristoforetti are spending a week exploring a mountain of crystalised magma in Lofoten, a remote Arctic location in Norway, as if they were planning an expedition on the surface of the Moon. 

The astronauts are accomplished geology students, ready to refine their knowledge of lunar rocks with future NASA’s Artemis missions in mind. Alexander and Samantha joined the training after taking part in previous PANGAEA sessions in Italy, Germany and Spain.

The PANGAEA course is designed to provide European astronauts with introductory and practical knowledge of Earth and planetary geology to prepare them to become effective partners of planetary scientists and engineers in designing the next exploration missions.

The course also aims to give astronauts a solid knowledge in the geology of the Solar System from leading European scientists.