Video: Why CAVES Are Interesting To Astrobiologists

NASA Astrobiologist Penelope Boston, explains why caves are interesting to astrobiologists.

Caves are little studied areas and can resemble environments found on other planets. Caves exist on the Moon and Mars and could be used by astronauts for shelter when we explore our Solar System

Recorded during a workshop on astrobiology and caves in Sardinia, Italy in 2015.

ESA’s CAVES course – Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills – is a two-week course that prepares astronauts to work safely and effectively in multicultural teams in an environment where safety is critical – in caves.

CAVES teaches astronauts to explore underground systems as a team. They journey deep underground to perform scientific experiments, map the environment as well as chart and document their activities.

Together, participants must adapt to living and working in the unique cave environment to meet scientific and exploration objectives. Constant attention to safety rules, procedures and equipment is critical to the successful completion of the mission.

The course is run by the European Space Agency to simulate spaceflight. Rookies and astronauts who have flown to space participate in the course together and share experiences.

Before entering the cave for the extended exploration, trainees attend both classroom and practical caving lessons. They receive technical lectures on topics such as exploration, communication, emergency procedures and the science of speleology, and practical lessons on technical cave progression, mapping, photography and scientific sampling.

Astrobiology