[Openurmind]

Couldn’t they just do this same “problem solving” in a building and “imagine” it’s a cave?

[wastoute]

Yes and no. Sure you could replicate the isolation somewhat but there would still be the sounds and smells of technological life. Deep in a limestone cavern the smells are different. The silence and darkness are absolute.

[Svartalfiar]

Couldn’t they just do this same “problem solving” in a building and “imagine” it’s a cave?

“This new space-caving adventure helps them to learn from each other, from themselves and from the cave, which always humbles you with its enclosing spaces and darkness,” says CAVES technical course director Francesco Sauro.

How does a cave relate to space? The Moon/Mars is more similar to the middle of a desert than a cave I would think. I doubt the moon has much if any caves - it doesn't have the tectonic activity like Earth does or Mars possibly did.