Why Are Chinese Astronauts Training In Caves Before Going To The Moon?

Last Updated:January 08, 2026, 11:23 IST

China’s lunar prep sends 28 astronauts to remote caves to train for the Moon. Discover how this daring mission simulates the Moon’s harsh conditions

China sent 28 astronauts to train in remote karst caves, simulating the Moon’s harsh conditions like darkness, isolation, and resource scarcity.

Before setting foot on the Moon, Chinese scientists and astronauts are heading underground. But what’s the connection between exploring caves on Earth and lunar missions?

China has launched a unique and ambitious training programme designed to prepare astronauts for the harsh conditions of the Moon.

Taikonauts In Karst Caves

As part of this programme, 28 Chinese astronauts, known as Taikonauts, were sent to a remote karst (limestone) cave system in China. The mission aimed to simulate living and working under conditions similar to those on the Moon. The week-long training took place in the dark, isolated caves of Wulong National Park in Chongqing. The astronauts were divided into four rotating groups and spent six days and five nights in near-total darkness.

This is China’s first training initiative specifically aimed at preparing crews for future lunar landings.

The operation was led by Ye Guangfu, an experienced astronaut who flew on the Shenzhou-14 mission and participated in the European Space Agency’s CAVES training in 2016. Ye said the cave exercises are directly related to lunar exploration, helping astronauts prepare mentally and physically for real mission scenarios.

Simulating Lunar Conditions

Inside the caves, Taikonauts faced conditions that closely mimic the Moon’s environment:

• Limited light
• Variable temperatures
• Communication delays
• Scarce resources

On the Moon, a lunar day lasts about 14 Earth days, and nighttime temperatures can drop to minus 130 degrees Celsius.

Key Training Tasks

1. Rappelling down cliffs: Astronauts practised descending steep rocks with ropes to prepare for navigating lunar craters and uneven terrain under low gravity.
2. Mapping the cave: Teams surveyed and mapped underground routes using basic equipment, skills useful for lunar geological studies and selecting future habitats.
3. Surviving alone: Participants managed limited air and water, recycled resources, and practised coping with the mental stress of confined spaces, mirroring long-duration lunar missions.

Building On China’s Spaceflight Expertise

This training builds on China’s growing human spaceflight experience. Since 2021, China has completed three crewed missions to its space station. The 2024 Chang’e-6 mission brought back samples from the Moon’s far side, demonstrating rapid progress in lunar exploration.

China’s lunar strategy now includes constructing underground habitats to shield astronauts from radiation and micrometeorites. Cave training complements this approach and is part of the proposed International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project with Russia and other partners, aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030.

Learning From Global Analog Missions

The cave exercises highlight China’s commitment to analog training, practising space-like conditions on Earth. The programme draws inspiration from global initiatives, such as NASA’s HI-SEAS in Hawaii. According to Ye Guangfu, such simulations are essential for ensuring Taikonauts can not only survive but also work effectively in the Moon’s extreme environment.

China has indicated that more such exercises will take place in the future, signalling an acceleration in its preparations for humanity’s ‘next giant leap’.

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