The European Space Agency (ESA) will return to Lanzarote to carry out a new geological and astrobiological training program for PANGAEA astronauts. The objective of passing through the lands of Lanzarote is to learn how to operate in geological environments and, in this way, prepare to go to the Moon or Mars. Thanks to their stay on the island, they will learn about the geological interactions between volcanic activity and water, two key factors in the search for life. In addition to Lanzarote, this intensive course, which will celebrate its fifth edition, travels through different places on the European continent.
The European Space Agency has been moving its human and technical teams to Lanzarote for more than five years thanks to a collaboration agreement signed with Geoparque Lanzarote and Archipiélago Chinijo.
Alexander Gerst, geophysicist, volcanologist, commander of the International Space Station in 2018 and ESA astronaut, will be one of the members of the expedition that will arrive on the island to carry out the training. The astronaut has extensive experience after having spent more than 5,700 sunrises and sunsets in space. In addition, he also carried out underground explorations as part of the ESA's CAVES training in 2019.
On the other hand, Stephanie Wilson, a NASA astronaut, will also be present in the development of these activities. She is one of the most veteran astronauts of the American institution and is part of the Artemis Team, a select group that is preparing for upcoming manned missions to the Moon. could be the first woman to set foot on the lunar surface. She has participated in three space shuttle missions to the International Space Station and has recorded more than 42 days in space.
María Dolores Corujo, president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, pointed out that
