CAVES, ESA's unique training programme for astronauts, takes place over a couple of weeks in Sardinia's Supramonte. Six astronauts spend two weeks deep in caves, in the dark and cold. They are 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 our dedicated website (esa.int/caves) and read more about the CAVES 2013 campaign in the blog (blogs.esa.int/CAVES2013).

ESA­­­­--V. Crobu & S. Sechi