Wannabe astronauts are being made to live UNDERGROUND for six days before they are sent into space.
The move is part of a training scheme set up by the European Space Agency, and the training course for astronauts will start this week.
But they are being sent so far underground, that it will take them longer to get back to the surface than it would to return to Earth from space.
As part of the two-week course six space adventurers will explore dark, uncharted areas for six whole days with only their helmet lamps to guide them.
They have been told they will climb cave walls and run scientific experiments while p,reparing their mission supplies.
Dubbed ‘cavenauts’ the team will have to combat factors such as isolation and loneliness.
The cavenauts will also endure a more remote and hostile environment than that experienced on the International Space Station.
An ESA spokesperson said: “The course aims to improve leadership, teamwork, decision-making and problem-solving skills in a multicultural environment.
“The cavenauts will look for life forms, test new technologies and study the underground weather, geology and environment, including measuring radiation and carbon dioxide levels.
“During last year’s mission, the cavenauts returned with an unknown species.
“The newly discovered crustacean resembles a woodlouse and lives in water, a unique find for science.”
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