Longueuil, Quebec, September 10, 2013 – Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, along with an international astronaut crew, will live and work underground in caves, during a six-day training program. The European Space Agency's (ESA) Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behavior and performance Skills (CAVES) will take place from September 16 to 27 in Sardinia, Italy. This training prepares astronauts to work safely and effectively and solve problems as a multicultural team while exploring uncharted areas using space procedures. The training places the astronauts in similar exploration conditions as on the International Space Station. They will work in confined spaces, with minimal privacy, technical challenges and limited equipment and supplies for hygiene and comfort - just like in space.
Canadian Space Agency Astronaut David Saint-Jacques was the first Canadian astronaut to complete the training last year. This year's mission objectives includes cave mapping, photography to document findings; airflow, temperature and humidity monitoring; geological, biological and microbiological sampling with a particular interest in gaining better understanding of the fauna and environment of the area, as well as contributing to research in planetary protection.
Hansen will have limited and pre-selected time slots for phone interviews before and after his underground mission. To schedule interviews with Jeremy Hansen, please contact CSA Media Relations. His most recent training mission was in the High Arctic this summer.
