Teamwork in volcanic landscapes

From right to left, astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli (NASA), Kimiya Yui (JAXA) and Pablo Álvarez (ESA) analyse pyroclastic deposits in Lanzarote's Tinguatón area. 

During three intensive weeks, ESA's PANGAEA training grows in complexity as the astronauts face challenges in real environments.

Their scientific objectives during this expedition were to study the chronology and morphology of lava flows, and to find evidence of interaction between water and volcanic activity – two key factors in the search for life.

Besides the indispensable rock hammers, the astronauts carry spectrometers and microscopes connected with the ESA-developed Electronic Field Book, an all-in-one tool for future space explorers. Jasmin uses this ‘space tablet’ to map their exploration, keep a record of the samples collected and communicate their observations with the science team.