Editor’s note: Many astrobiologists think that there is a chance that extant life could be found underneath the surface of Mars where conditions could be more favorable than they currently on – or near – the surface. The discovery of Earth life very, very deep underground lends some support to this theory. We’ll just need to climb down into Mars to find out. Oh and all that exploration at the Lunar South pole – there is certainly going to be some rugged terrain to climb over – and within -as the search for water ice commences. Thinking about these climbing and spelunking skills, I wrote Mountaineering And Climbing On Mars back in 2004 [JBIS, Vol. 57, pp.113-125, 2004]
“Initial human missions to Mars will be a precious commodity wherein a maximum amount of information is gathered by each crew. As was the case during innumerable terrestrial missions of exploration, the Martian terrain that visiting crews must traverse in order to gain an understanding will often be difficult. This is accentuated by the fact that Mars is a world of geology – one whose surface area is equal to dry surface on Earth. Human crews will be called upon to use a variety of skills and tools to traverse the Martian surface – including those often associated with hiking, mountaineering and technical climbing. While rovers and other mechanical devices will be employed, it should be assumed that skills commonly associated with rock climbing, caving, and mountaineering on Earth will also be required.”
ESA CAVES (Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills) is an ESA astronaut training program.
[ESA] The three-week course prepares astronauts to work safely and effectively in multicultural teams in an environment where safety is critical.
As they explore caves they encounter caverns, underground lakes and strange microscopic life. They test new technology and conduct science – just as if they were living on the International Space Station.
The five astronauts have to rely on their own skills, teamwork and ground control to achieve their mission goals – the course is designed to foster effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving, leadership and team dynamics.
Meet the ‘cavenauts’:
Rosemary Coogan, ESA astronaut 🇬🇧
John McFall, member of ESA’s astronaut reserve 🇬🇧
Tracy Dyson, NASA astronaut 🇺🇸
Ben Bailey, NASA astronaut candidate 🇺🇸
Ayu Yoneda, JAXA astronaut 🇯🇵
Astrobiology, spelunking,
