Xpats.ae reported that the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced Emirati astronaut Mohammad AlMulla’s successful completion of the intensive two-week CAVES training programme, conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Molise and Campania, Italy. The programme brought together an international crew of astronauts representing ESA, JAXA, and NASA for collaborative training in challenging, space-like conditions.
The CAVES initiative—short for Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills—is designed to prepare astronauts for long-duration space missions by enhancing teamwork, communication, and operational efficiency under extreme circumstances. The course featured a combination of classroom instruction, outdoor exercises, and an extended underground expedition, during which participants lived and operated in total isolation, simulating conditions similar to those encountered in space.
Throughout the training programme, AlMulla and his fellow astronauts developed crucial skills related to cave exploration, mapping, and scientific data collection. They also refined interpersonal and leadership abilities such as effective communication, stress management, and decision-making in complex environments. The unique subterranean setting replicated the psychological and physical challenges of spaceflight, including isolation, confinement, resource limitations, and heightened risk factors.
By successfully completing the CAVES training, Mohammad AlMulla has further advanced his expertise in space mission preparedness, contributing to the UAE’s ongoing progress in human spaceflight and strengthening its role in international space cooperation.
