Training camps to go to the moon, this island in Spain is overrun with astronauts and tourists

JAKARTA – An island in the Spanish region has been overrun by astronauts and tourists interested in training before going there moon . The island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Spain is indeed very special compared to the other islands.

The geographical conditions of the island of Lanzarote are said to be very similar to the conditions of the moon. On the island you can find blackened lava fields, craters and volcanic tubes. It is this similarity in conditions that makes the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for years by sending astronauts to the island to practice before going to the moon or planet Mars.

“This place has lava that is very, very similar to what we’ve found on the moon,” said Alexander Gerst, a 46-year-old astronaut who has been in space extensively with ESA.

On this island, according to Alexander Gerst, various professions interested in the moon seek information and practice. Astronauts, geologists, space engineers and tourists explore every inch of the island of Lanzarote to hone their skills and increase their knowledge of the moon.

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Seeing this potential, ESA therefore carried out special training on the island under the name of Pangea. During training, astronauts are asked to identify and collect rock samples, perform DNA analyzes of on-site microorganisms, and report their findings to mission control. They are even equipped with various equipment that will really be needed while on the moon.

“Here, they are positioned on the ground to get a feel for terrain exploration, which is what they have to do while on the moon,” said Francesco Sauro, technical director of Pangea.

The special geography of the island of Lanzarote did not happen by itself. The existing conditions on the island were formed by a volcanic eruption that occurred in 1730 and lasted for six years.

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During that time the volcano spewed ash and lava over large areas of land. Not surprisingly, the volcanic eruption on the island of Lanzarote is recorded as one of the largest volcanic disasters in history. The eruption destroyed more than 200 square kilometers of the area.

The conditions that occur on the island of Lanzarote are also very ideal because there is minimal vegetation in that area. This happened because the weather on the island of Lanzarote was similar to the temperature of a desert.

“There are many types of volcanic rocks in Lanzarote. And they are easy to find. This place also has no trees. It is like you are on the moon here,” said Loredana Bessone, Pangea project manager.

(wsb)