ESA CAVES

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/esa-caves

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the program acronym?CAVES: Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills
2. What is the primary training modality?Subterranean exploration as a space-analogue environment
3. Why do astronauts train in caves instead of a spaceship?Caves are dark, isolated, and hard to navigate, just like space, so they help astronauts practice the same challenges they will face far from Earth.
4. How does training in caves help astronauts learn teamwork?Astronauts from many different countries work together in the cave, practicing communication, problem solving, and supporting each other in a small, isolated setting.

Space-analogue environment: Terrestrial locations that simulate the physical, psychological, and operational challenges of space missions.
Human factors: The study of how humans interact with systems, focusing on performance, safety, and well-being.
Long-duration spaceflight: Missions extending beyond typical short-term orbital flights, requiring sustained crew performance and adaptation.
ISS-representative team: A crew trained to function cohesively and effectively, mirroring the multinational crews of the International Space Station.