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\nESA trainers and caving specialists are pictured here underground in Sardinia, Italy, to setting the scene for space-like astronaut training next month. The trainers descended into the caves on a \u2018dry run<\/a>\u2019 without the astronauts, to test their planned tasks and operations, and are now finalising preparation of equipment and facilities after ESA declared \u2018GO\u2019 for CAVES 2014 last week.\n<\/p>\n \nCAVES 2014 will take place between 7\u201320 September in Sardinia \u2013 details on participants in this year\u2019s event can be found here<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nCAVES \u2013 short for Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills \u2013 offers astronauts, trainers and planners a chance to test space-like procedures while exploring uncharted caverns in new environments.\n<\/p>\n \nThis year, the CAVES team are stepping up the space realism and exploration while testing more technology and procedures.\n<\/p>\n \nClambering down to basecamp hundreds of metres below the surface using safety tethers is similar to conducting a spacewalk, and this year the procedures have been updated to include astronaut terminology.\n<\/p>\n \nIn space, an object can quickly float away and be lost forever. While caving, dropped equipment can also be lost forever down crevices or in holes.\n<\/p>\n \nWhen passing equipment, cavers and astronauts must make sure the recipient is grasping the item before the first person lets go: \u2018make before break\u2019 in astronaut language.\n<\/p>\n \nNo opportunity is missed to make the week-long stay underground resemble a space mission. The trainees will follow timeline and procedures, including handling equipment and communication protocols just as on the International Space Station.\n<\/p>\n \nMore information on CAVES 2014<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nESA CAVES blog<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \t\t\t\t\t \nESA trainers and caving specialists are pictured here underground in Sardinia, Italy, to setting the scene for space-like astronaut training next month. The trainers descended into the caves on a \u2018dry run<\/a>\u2019 without the astronauts, to test their planned tasks and operations, and are now finalising preparation of equipment and facilities after ESA declared \u2018GO\u2019 for CAVES 2014 last week.\n<\/p>\n \nCAVES 2014 will take place between 7\u201320 September in Sardinia \u2013 details on participants in this year\u2019s event can be found here<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nCAVES \u2013 short for Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills \u2013 offers astronauts, trainers and planners a chance to test space-like procedures while exploring uncharted caverns in new environments.\n<\/p>\n \nThis year, the CAVES team are stepping up the space realism and exploration while testing more technology and procedures.\n<\/p>\n \nClambering down to basecamp hundreds of metres below the surface using safety tethers is similar to conducting a spacewalk, and this year the procedures have been updated to include astronaut terminology.\n<\/p>\n \nIn space, an object can quickly float away and be lost forever. While caving, dropped equipment can also be lost forever down crevices or in holes.\n<\/p>\n \nWhen passing equipment, cavers and astronauts must make sure the recipient is grasping the item before the first person lets go: \u2018make before break\u2019 in astronaut language.\n<\/p>\n \nNo opportunity is missed to make the week-long stay underground resemble a space mission. The trainees will follow timeline and procedures, including handling equipment and communication protocols just as on the International Space Station.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n