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CAVES 2011 team and trainers
Science & Exploration

CAVES 2011 team and trainers

20/03/2012 367 views 3 likes 233376 ID
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The CAVES 2011 team, complete with cavenauts, trainers, and some of the equipment returned to earth with them, including scientific samples. All waste material was brought back surface, the course had a 'leave no trace' philosophy.

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.

  • ESA / V. Crobu
  • Human Spaceflight
  • Astronauts ESA astronauts
Cave training team
Science & Exploration

Cave training team

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Three astronauts on the first caving day
Science & Exploration

Three astronauts on the first caving day

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CAVES 2011, first day
Science & Exploration

CAVES 2011, first day

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Caving team portrait
Science & Exploration

Caving team portrait

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The caving team after return to the surface
Science & Exploration

The caving team after return to the surface

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