Preparing for CAVES 2013

ESA's unique training programme for astronauts, CAVES, will take place in Sardinia's Supramonte in September. Six astronauts will spend two weeks deep in caves, in the dark and cold. They will be separated from the outside world, doing scientific research and daily tasks together, as a group, just like in space. Moving in the cave system is also comparable to spacewalking with the use of harnesses and safety devices.

This year's dry run, a test of the facilities and equipment, was done in June and this video shows what to expect: totally new science programme, ISS procedures for all activities, cave sniper 3D mapping and "Catch that bug".

Read more about CAVES on ESA's dedicated website (esa.int/caves) and follow this year's CAVES campaign in the new ESA blog (blogs.esa.int/CAVES2013)