Astronauts from the United States, Japan, and Europe recently met at the Bletterbach Geoparc, a natural gorge near Aldino (South Tyrol), for a week of training. NASA's Jasmin Moghbeli, JAXA's Kimiya Yui, and ESA's Pablo Álvarez Fernández trained in field geology, learning to identify rocks, meteorites, and potential evidence of life and ancient water. For years, the Bletterbach in the Dolomites has served as a training location for the European program due to the features of its rocks, which are similar to several formations on Mars' surface. For Moghbeli and Yui, space is already a reality. The NASA astronaut spent around six and a half months on the International Space Station from 2023 to 2024, while Yui from Japan took part in two flights to the space station. Álvarez Fernández, from Spain, has completed his training and is awaiting his first mission. The PANGAEA program, which stands for Planetary ANalog Geological and Astrobiological Exercise for Astronauts, trains astronauts to work as field geologists. Included in the objectives are the capacity to identify potential traces of life or the ancient presence of water, observe, document, and sample rocks, and identify various categories of meteorites. For many years, the Bletterbach valley in the Dolomites has served as a training ground. The sandstone formations visible in the gorge are comparable to rock formations found on the surface of Mars.