The country NASA chose for Apollo astronaut training because of its strikingly moonlike terrain was Iceland.

Quick Scoop

  • NASA selected Iceland in the 1960s as a training ground for Apollo astronauts thanks to its barren volcanic landscapes, lava fields, and craters that closely resembled the lunar surface.
  • Areas such as the Askja region in Iceland’s central highlands provided a realistic setting for practicing geology fieldwork, rock sampling, and navigation similar to what astronauts would face on the Moon.
  • This training helped prepare crews from missions including Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 to recognize important rocks and terrain features once they actually stepped onto the lunar surface.

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