From left are, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer and NASA astronauts Thomas Marshburn, Raja Chari, and Kayla Barron. The name of European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurers very first mission to the International Space Station, Cosmic Kiss, is a declaration of love for area. The most popular feature is a simplified, almost heart-like International Space Station. As an unique oasis in space, the International Space Station is a center of science, research study, and operations like no other. The Space Station is a lifeline for Earths future and paves the way for our next actions into area as we go forward to the Moon and Mars.
The astronauts of SpaceX Crew-3 pose for a portrait in their fits during a training session inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. From left are, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer and NASA astronauts Thomas Marshburn, Raja Chari, and Kayla Barron. Credit: SpaceX
The spacecraft bring ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer and his NASA astronaut colleagues Raja Chari, Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron docked to the International Space Station at 00:32 CET Friday, November 12 (23:32 GMT Thursday, November 11), marking the main start of Matthiass first mission Cosmic Kiss.
The 4 Crew-3 astronauts were launched in a brand-new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, called Endurance, atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA at 02:03 GMT/03:03 CET Thursday, November 11. They came to the Station around 22 hours later for a six-month stay in orbit.
Matthias and his crewmates were welcomed aboard by NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei and Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov when the hatch opened at 01:25 GMT/02:25 CET, as members of Expedition 66.
Anton is the present leader of the International Space Station. He took control of the function from ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet on 6 November, prior to Thomass go back to Earth with Crew-2.
An interesting time for Europe
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher states Matthiass objective comes at an interesting time for Europe in space.
Josef Aschbacher. Credit: ESA
” ESA has an enthusiastic agenda as we look for to keep and grow Europes function as a prominent area agency. This cuts throughout all areas of the area economy including robotic and human exploration, telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, area security and security, and more, and will need close cooperation with all our Member States, the European Union, the area market, and Europes scientific neighborhood in the coming years.
” In addition to Matthiass launch and Thomass return from the Space Station, we likewise have Samantha Cristoforetti getting ready for her 2nd objective next year where she will become the very first female ESA astronaut to hold the role of Space Station Commander,” adds ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker. “And naturally, we remain in the process of hiring a new class of ESA astronauts as we look to the future of exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, to the Moon and ultimately Mars.
” Im delighted to see Matthias arrive safely to the Space Station and wish him all the best as he, and the groups supporting him, embark on a hectic six months of science, research, and operations in weightlessness.”
A statement of love for area
Matthias picked the name Cosmic Kiss for his time aboard the Space Station as a declaration of love for space.
Authorities picture of ESA astronaut of German nationality Matthias Maurer. This portrait was taken in November 2020. Credit: ESA
While in orbit, he will support more than 35 European experiments and many worldwide experiments. Knowledge got through his mission will add to advancement that advantages life on Earth as well as the future of exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
” Cosmic Kiss communicates the special connection the Station provides in between Earths inhabitants and the universes,” Matthias explains. “Partnership is so crucial in checking out farther to the Moon and Mars, as is the requirement to regard, protect and maintain the nature of our home planet as we seek a sustainable future on Earth and beyond.”
An action-packed objective
In addition to orbital science, Matthias is likewise licensed to perform a spacewalk in both the NASA EMU spacesuit and the Russian Orlan spacesuit.
Orion and ESM stacked on top of Moon launcher for Artemis 1. Credit: ESA-S. Corvaja.
It is anticipated he will perform a Russian spacewalk to support the installation and first operations of the European Robotic Arm (ERA) that traveled to the Station with the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) on 29 July this year.
Measuring over 11 m in length, the European-built arm is the very first robotic able to stroll around the Russian section of the International Space Station and the only one that astronauts can control from both inside and outside the Space Station.
He is likewise anticipated to be in orbit for the launch of the Webb Space Telescope and the launch of Artemis I, an uncrewed objective that will see ESAs European Service Module (ESM-1) power NASAs Orion spacecraft on its journey around the Moon and back to Earth.
Patch for Matthias Maurers Cosmic Kiss objective. Credit: ESA.
Follow the Cosmic Kiss objective.
The name of European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurers first mission to the International Space Station, Cosmic Kiss, is a statement of love for space. It communicates the unique connection the Station provides in between Earths residents and the universes. It likewise conveys the value of partnership in exploring farther to the Moon and Mars, along with the requirement to respect, preserve the nature and safeguard of our house planet as we look for a sustainable future on Earth.
The Cosmic Kiss patch takes motivation from the Nebra sky disc (” Himmelsscheibe von Nebra”)– the earliest recognized practical illustration of the night sky– in addition to the Pioneer plaques and Voyager Golden Records that were sent out into the unknown bring messages from Earth.
These artifacts reveal a fascination with space that covers the ages. Because the beginning of time, human beings have looked skyward for understanding about the origins of life, the Universe, and our place in the universes. The Cosmic Kiss mission develops on the interest of all those who came prior to us, as exploration advances our understanding of Earth, our Solar System, and life itself.
Like the Nebra sky disc, the spot includes numerous cosmic aspects including Earth, the Moon, and the Pleiades star cluster. It likewise depicts Mars, among ESAs 3 essential locations for exploration over the next 10 years, as a little red dot beckoning in the range.
Earth is shown borderless and backlit, with just a delicate line of environment visible. This phenomenon is frequently explained by area tourists, who admire the wonder of all human life and events happening in one precious and thin layer.
The most prominent function is a streamlined, nearly heart-like International Space Station. This is linked through a human heartbeat that extends from Earth to the Moon. This heart beat represents the human existence and passion that propels exploration forward and links us to deep space, as well as the essential life science experiments the Space Station makes it possible for.
As a special sanctuary in space, the International Space Station is a hub of science, research study, and operations like no other. The Space Station is a lifeline for Earths future and paves the way for our next actions into area as we go forward to the Moon and Mars.
The Cosmic Kiss mission patch includes black, red, gold, and white. Each color has actually been selected for its significance:.
Black– represents the Universe and its secrets that we seek to comprehend.
Red– stands for love and enthusiasm. It represents our human existence today and the martian soils that await us as we check out further into the Solar System.
Gold– is the color of the stars that share their heat and light to allow life.
White– is the heartbeat that flashes in the environment. It stands for innovation and scientific progress, bringing light into the dark.