CAVES 2011, first day

The first descent into the caves on the CAVES 2011 course. From here it is another five hours to the campsite, and it involves more than just a walk...

ESA’s cave training prepares astronauts to work as an international team in real exploration conditions. Sending astronauts underground to survive and explore Sardinian caves in Italy for almost a week is just one element of their long training.

The Sardinian caves are isolated from the outside world. The astronauts need to get used to confined spaces, minimal privacy, technical challenges and limited equipment and supplies for hygiene and comfort - just like in space.