Earth and solar system

"Preparing to explore the surface of the Moon goes well beyond designing and building safe spacecraft and spacesuits. NASA also has to ensure the surface vehicles and suits have the mobility required to do science, and that astronauts have the tools they need to identify and scoop up rock and soil samples. Additionally, NASA astronauts are trained in geology, spending countless hours practicing doing science at locations on Earth that resemble regions they might see on the Moon. All this is done in an effort to establish a long-term presence on the Moon and to help answer some outstanding science questions about the history of Earth and of the solar system."