Gallery: Astronauts Explore Undersea 'Asteroid'

Neemo 15 Crewmember Experiments With Walking

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi tests how to move around on a simulated asteroid wall.

Astronauts Practice Moving Along a Translation Line

Takuya Onishi (JAXA) and Shannon Walker (NASA) practice moving along a translation line tied to an anchor on the simulated asteroid rock wall.

Daily Planning Conference with MMCC

Jeremy Hansen, of the Canadian Space Agency, serves as the Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) for NEEMO 15's Mobile Mission Control Center. A daily planning conference is conducted twice a day to summarize the day's activities and to plan out future tasks.

DeepWorker Beginning Science Traverse

Two DeepWorker submarines are being used for the NEEMO 15 mission, one for science traverses, and another as a simulated Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV).

Astronaut Shannon Walker Maneuvers Around The Simulated Asteroid Floor

NASA astronaut Shannon Walker maneuvers around the simulated asteroid floor, collecting samples during this extravehicular excursion on Oct. 23, 2011.

Astronauts Pose for Picture Underwater

Shannon Walker and Steve Squyers pose for a quick picture after completing their extravehicular activities.

Moving to a Sample Point

Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques, in a foot restraint, is maneuvered around by Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi to an ideal simulated sample point.

NEEMO 15 Crew Gathers at the Galley Table

The NEEMO 15 aquanauts gather in the evening on Oct. 22, 2011 in their Aquarius habitat to discuss the next day's activities.

Astronaut David Saint-Jacques Prepares to Take Rock Chip Samples

David Saint-Jacques moves around on a simulated asteroid and prepares his equipment to take some rock chip samples.

Rock Chipping Opportunity

David Saint-Jacques uses a standard machinist hammer to chip off a piece of the simulated asteroid to collect in a sample bag.