CAVES International Astronaut Training in Italy: Commander Ayu Yoneda of Japan
In June 2026, during two intense weeks of international astronaut training in Italy, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Astronaut Ayu Yoneda served as commander of a group made up of NASA and European Space Agency astronauts. Deep below the Apennine Mountains, caves became their training laboratory. In this video, Yoneda talks about the importance of clear information sharing and consideration for teammates, and how the team's bond deepened by spending time together while exploring caves.
Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behavior and performance Skills (CAVES) teaches astronauts to explore underground systems as a team. They journey deep underground to perform scientific experiments, map the environment, as well as chart and document their activities.
Together, participants must adapt to living and working in the unique cave environment to meet scientific and exploration objectives. Constant attention to safety rules, procedures and equipment is critical to the successful completion of the mission.
The course is run by the European Space Agency to simulate spaceflight. Rookies and astronauts who have flown to space participate in the course together and share experiences.
Trainees had to adapt to an underground environment sharing many analogies with a space mission—isolation, confinement, and limited supplies.
The five participants this year were ESA astronaut Rosemary Coogan, John McFall, member of ESA’s astronaut reserve and the Fly! project, NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, NASA astronaut candidate Ben Bailey, and JAXA astronaut Ayu Yoneda.
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/CAVES_and_Pangaea/What_is_CAVES
Duration: 55 seconds
Release Date: July 6, 2026
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