Marking another milestone in the UAE’s growing presence in international space exploration, UAE astronaut Mohammad AlMulla, who is part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre's 'UAE Astronaut Programme', has completed the 'Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills' (CAVES) training programme organised by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy.
CAVES is an advanced simulation course designed to replicate the challenges of space missions. Conducted in Molise and Campania, the two-week training saw AlMulla work alongside astronauts from ESA, NASA, and other agencies, testing their teamwork, endurance, and problem-solving under extreme conditions.
Participants lived and worked in underground caves, cut off from sunlight and communication with the outside world. The experience simulated spaceflight realities such as confinement, limited resources, and technical risks. Through the expedition, AlMulla honed vital skills in navigation, mapping, leadership, communication, and decision-making, all essential for future long-duration missions.