Artemis II Astronauts Credit Wyoming-Based NOLS For Prepping Them For Moon Mission

NASA's Artemis II crew says lessons learned during wilderness training with the National Outdoor Leadership School proved invaluable during their 10-day lunar journey.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A bold, abstract painting in soft earth tones depicting the intricate orbital mechanics and structural order of the Artemis II mission to the Moon, conveying the complex interplay between Earth, the Moon, and the spacecraft through sweeping geometric arcs and concentric planetary circles.The Artemis II mission's successful journey to the Moon and back showcases the vital role that wilderness leadership training plays in preparing astronauts for the rigors of deep space exploration.Houston Today

The Artemis II astronauts, who recently returned from a 10-day mission around the moon, credited their training with the Wyoming-based National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) for helping prepare them for the challenges of spaceflight. NOLS has partnered with NASA for over 20 years, providing wilderness expeditions designed to build critical skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork - qualities that proved essential during the Artemis II mission.

Why it matters

The partnership between NOLS and NASA reflects the valuable role that wilderness training can play in preparing astronauts for the rigors of space exploration. The remote, resource-limited environments of NOLS expeditions mirror many of the conditions astronauts face in spacecraft, allowing them to develop the "expedition behavior" needed to thrive in isolated, high-stress situations.

The details

All of the Artemis II astronauts trained with NOLS prior to their lunar mission, with some even spending time navigating Wyoming's backcountry. Commander Reid Wiseman credited NOLS lessons on maintaining "integrity" - the ability to stay focused on the mission despite distractions - as particularly helpful during moments of stress and pressure. NOLS faculty say the school's emphasis on "expedition behavior", or an awareness of others' needs and the character to prioritize them, is a key reason NASA continues to partner with the organization decades after their relationship began.

  • In 1999, NASA began working with NOLS and contracting the organization for more than 45 wilderness expeditions to help prepare astronauts.
  • In 2023, Cowboy State Daily reported on the Artemis II astronauts training in Wyoming's backcountry.
  • On April 10, 2026, the Artemis II crew returned to Earth after a 10-day mission around the moon.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission, who reflected on how lessons learned through NOLS training helped him maintain focus and integrity during moments of stress and distraction.

Rick Rochelle

A senior faculty and leadership coach at NOLS, who explained the concept of "expedition behavior" that is central to the organization's partnership with NASA.

Lynn Petzold

Also a senior faculty member at NOLS, who discussed how the school's wilderness training provides astronauts with practical leadership experience and the opportunity to reflect on their growth as a team.

Paul Petzoldt

The founder of NOLS, who coined the term "expedition behavior" to describe the awareness of others' needs and the character to make those needs as important as one's own.

National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)

A Wyoming-based outdoor education organization that has partnered with NASA for over 20 years, providing wilderness expeditions designed to help astronauts develop critical skills for spaceflight.

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What they’re saying

“There's a saying that we learned from one of our National Outdoor Leadership School instructors: integrity is not a one or a zero. You can be in integrity, and you can be out of integrity — and I'll be the first to admit that there were moments when I was out of integrity because sometimes the view or the human experience would just pull me away from the work.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Commander

“There's a phrase that NOLS calls 'expedition behavior,' and that is clearly the most important part of why NASA works with us and how it translates.”

— Rick Rochelle, Senior Faculty and Leadership Coach, NOLS

“NOLS provides experience for astronauts to go through leadership theory, work under stress, and reflect and debrief — extracting the learnings from the day and implementing them moving forward. That's how you continue to grow and become a better team.”

— Lynn Petzold, Senior Faculty, NOLS

What’s next

NASA and NOLS plan to continue their partnership, providing wilderness training to future astronauts preparing for deep space missions.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission has highlighted the valuable role that wilderness leadership training can play in preparing astronauts for the unique challenges of spaceflight. The skills developed through NOLS expeditions, such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure, proved essential for the Artemis II crew during their historic journey to the moon and back.