Home / National Park Service Exhibits / Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (SUCR) / Training Astronauts in Sunset Crater Volcano NM 17
Between 1963 and 1972, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument was an integral part of the Apollo Project.
The Bonito Lava Flow and the surrounding cinder hills were used to train the Apollo astronauts for scientific exploration of the moon and to test equipment used on the unmanned Surveyor missions and later Apollo flights to the moon.
Many of the images included in this album are from the USGS archives. They also appear in USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190 (open report in new window).
- Exploring the Bonito Lava Flow, 1964
Description: Apollo astronauts John Young (left) and Neil Armstrong (center) with a Branch of Astrogeology trainer exploring the Bonito Lava Flow in 1964. Prior to the first successful moon landing, scientists thought the rough lava-flow surface was likely how the surface of the moon would be. Collection: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. - Testing "Grover" at Sunset Crater Volcano NM
Description: The "Grover" - short for geologic rover - was tested on the Bonito Lava Flow in Sunset Crater Volcano NM in 1964, as well. Driving the "Grover" are Gene Cernan (fore) and Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, both of whom walked on the moon as members of Apollo 17 in 1972. The lunar rover they drove while there remains at the Taurus-Littrow landing site. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 097c; NASA photo S-72-54502. - Suiting Up
Description: Gene Shoemaker, Jerry Harbor, or Gene Phillippi suiting up to test equipment in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 016g. - Geology Training on the Bonito Lava Flow, 1964
Description: Astronauts C.C. Williams, Frank Borman, and Gene Cernan with Branch of Astrogeology trainer Dale Jackson on the Bonito Lava Flow in 1964. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 014e; NASA photo S-64-23729, 30 April 1964. - Gene Phillippi resting on the edge of the Bonito Lava Flow
Description: Gene Phillipi, still suited, resting on the edge of the Bonito Lava Flow. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 016d. - "Trainee Astronauts Complete Lunar Studies, Embark by Plane for Home"
Description: A 1963 newspaper clipping tells of the adventures of the "New Nine" at Sunset Crater and Meteor Crater. The experience was only the beginning of the Apollo training at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Collection: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. - Testing the Lunar Staff
Description: Preparing to test the Lunar Staff. This is probably Gene Phillippi, a member of the Branch of Astrogeology. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 016h. - Collecting a Sample
Description: Collecting a sample along the edge of the Bonito Lava Flow, with the San Francisco Peaks in the background. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 016j. - Testing the Surveyor Camera System
Description: In 1964, the camera system ultimately used on during the Surveyor missions was tested on the Bonito Lava Flow in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. The lava flow was selected for the test because it was thought that it would reflect light the same way as expected on the lunar surface. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 013; USGS photo, P879B, F651112. - Testing the First Spacesuits, 1964
Description: The first spacesuits were tested in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in 1964, but not by astronauts. Although members of the Apollo crew were present, the suits were too small for any of them, so the actual tests were done by Gene Shoemaker, Jerry Harbor, and Gene Phillippi, all of the Branch of Astrogeology, which later became NASA. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 016a. - Surveyor Lunar Rover Prototype
Description: In 1964, two lunar rover prototypes were tested on the Bonito Lava Flow to determine which had the best trafficability on the lava. The lava tore the tread from the Bendix prototype (shown here), and both prototypes were ultimately dropped because of poor field-test results. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 009. - Geology Briefings, Bonito Lava Flow, 1964
Description: John Young (left), Neil Armstrong (center), and Branch of Astrogeology trainer discussing the geology of the Bonito Lava Flow in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in 1964. One of the Apollo crew's tasks was the geological exploration of the lunar surface - the Bonito Lava Flow was chosen for training because prior to the first successful landing on the moon, the rough lava-flow surface was thought to be a good proxy for the lunar surface. Collection: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. - Testing Suits on the Bonito Lava Flow
Description: One test of the suits involved climbing on the Bonito Lava Flow, where sharp stones and loose footing were both hazards. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 016b. - Testing an Early Concept of the Lunar Staff
Description: Standing on the edge of the Bonito Lava Flow, a fully suited Gene Phillippi tests an early concept of the Lunar Staff, which is topped by a sun compass. Collection: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1190, Figure 016c. - "Snow Bowl Last Astronaut Stop"
Description: A newspaper clipping from 1963 (the handwritten date is incorrect) picturing the "New Nine" at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument's Ice Cave. Collection: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.