![](\"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Science_in_the_cave_small.png\")
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\nThe CAVES 2019 team completes science training at the Diva\u0161ka cave in Slovenia.\n<\/p>\n
\nInhospitable and hard to access, caves are untouched worlds and ideal traps for scientific evidence.\n<\/p>\n
\nAstronauts from this CAVES edition will perform a dozen experiments and will be on the lookout for signs of life that have adapted to the extremes. CAVES stands for Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe explorers will study the delicate climate, fauna and water of the cave. They will pay special attention to environmental parameters, including air and water quality, and pollution.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe six \u2018cavenauts\u2019 of this edition are ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, NASA astronauts Joe Acaba and Jeanette Epps, Roscosmos\u2019 cosmonaut Nikolai Chub, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Josh Kutryk and Japan\u2019s space agency JAXA\u2019s Takuya Onishi.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe three-week course prepares astronauts to work safely and effectively in multicultural teams in an environment where safety is critical.\n<\/p>\n
\nAs they explore caves they encounter caverns, underground lakes and strange microscopic life. They test new technology and conduct science \u2013 just as if they were living on the International Space Station.\n<\/p>\n
\nRead more about CAVES on our website<\/a> and follow this year’s CAVES campaign in the blog<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nCredits:<\/b> ESA\u2013E. Procopio\n<\/p>\n