"What's going to happen is a lunar simulation. In other words, it's space training. We're going to spend seven days, six nights in this volcanic cave simulating a lunar environment," Ana Pires, a researcher at INESC TEC - the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science and commander of the mission, explained to Lusa news agency.

This is the first lunar analogue mission, which will take place from 22 to 28 November, with a team of seven people from different nationalities.

The project is promoted by the 'Os Montanheiros' Association, which manages the Grotto, and by INESC TEC and will be officially presented on 8 November at the institute's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory.

"It's a great source of pride for the region to offer this experimental site so that we can finally have in Portugal, in the Azores, and specifically on Terceira Island, a place for the national and international community to develop lunar analogue missions," said Ana Pires.

The researcher said that this is the "first lunar analogue mission in Portugal", explaining that the Gruta do Natal, which is open to the public, "offers all the conditions and safety" for training and the expectation is that, in 2024, the Gruta do Natal will be a new site for analogue missions.