Matthias Maurer during Pangaea 2016
ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer listening to instructor Francesco Sauro during the introductory Pangaea course in Bressanone, Italy, 10 September 2016, where astronauts learned about Earth and planetary geological processes as well as how to recognise rocks and meteorites.
Pangaea is the first step in preparing European astronauts to become planetary explorers on missions to other planets allowing them to communicate with science advisors on Earth effectively, using a common and geologically correct language to increase fast and fruitful decision-making while selecting scientifically-relevant places to take samples.
Through Pangaea, Europe is developing operational concepts for surface missions where astronauts and robots work together, among themselves and with scientists and engineers on Earth, using the best field geology and planetary observation techniques.
Astronauts went on progressively difficult day trips, ending with a free exploration of the countryside searching for interesting samples while keeping in contact via radio with scientists at ‘mission control’.
