“What we do on the International Space Station is for Earth, for humankind. Working on the orbital outpost is our only way to learn what science and technology we need to go beyond.”
Luca Parmitano
#BeyondMission NAME
MISSION LUCA PARMITANO Luca Parmitano A leader with nerves of steel BORN 27 September 1976, Paternò, Italy
OCCUPATION Luca Parmitano’s colleagues describe him as a very During the second part of his Beyond mission, Luca Astronaut, focused and straightforward person, always able to will become commander of the International Space Italian air force test pilot give prompt feedback and show strong leadership. Station, and become the first Italian to do so. This is He embraces difficulties and constantly looks for new the third time a European astronaut will take up this STUDIES challenges. role on a Space Station Expedition. Political sciences, flight test engineering Luca was the first European astronaut to reach the International Space Station in less than six hours. MISSIONS Though it is now the standard flight duration of Volare (2013), a Soyuz spacecraft, back in 2013, this same-day Beyond (2019) rendezvous was eight times faster than usual. TIME IN SPACE During his first stay in orbit Luca carried out over 40 166 days science experiments, many of which are still running today. He also showed nerves of steel when faced SPACEWALKS with a life-threatening emergency during his second 2 > 7 hours 39 minutes spacewalk. As water began to accumulate inside his helmet, he was forced to return to the airlock as HOBBIES quickly as possible, but remained calm throughout. Triathlons, skydiving, science-fiction literature Beyond Luca’s second mission is called ‘Beyond’, to signify the exploration of our Universe, looking far beyond our planet and broadening our knowledge. “The beauty of being in command of the Space Station He will share the ride in the Soyuz capsule with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and NASA is that I will not be a babysitter. When you are the astronaut Andrew Morgan. commander of the most qualified people on Earth and off Earth, your job is to be a facilitator.”
ESA–A. Conigli MISSION TRAINING FOR SUCCESS On the road to space
On his return from his first space mission, Luca continued training to keep his skills at a high level and to support other astronauts.
As part of this ongoing development, he trained to become ‘Capcom’ – a communicator for astronauts in orbit. This role helped ensure he is up to date with the activities and changes taking place on the Space Station.
The astronaut’s refresher courses included scientific, engineering and medical skills, as well as orbital mechanics and Russian language, plus survival training in prolonged isolation and under psychological stress.
For critical tasks, such as flying a Soyuz, the astronauts train over and over in simulators. Continuous training helps astronauts be mentally prepared to handle emergencies, such as spacecraft depressurisation, fire or toxic spills.
The road to space also requires going under water. Luca was immersed in 12-m deep pools in the United States and Russia to practise spacewalking on submerged mockups of the orbital outpost. He also developed new procedures for operations outside the Space Station. During the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations, or NEEMO, he simulated living on a spacecraft 20 m below the sea surface and tested spacewalking techniques.
If the opportunity for a spacewalk arises, he is ready to go back out into space. Luca works as Capcom at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas (NASA) MISSION Spacewalk training underwater starts (NASA) “ have not been trained for before.” A real emergency is something you but space dangerous a still is place. I think Iammore experienced now, Suited for outer space (NASA) SCIENCE could shapetheway we live andwork. radiation, aswell asdemonstrating technologiesthat human research, and physical biology science, devote timeto alotof scientific activities, covering Inthisuniqueenvironment,our knowledge. Lucawill tests new technologiesandpushestheboundariesof Up there, thecrew carriesoutpioneeringresearch, experiments that are justnotpossibleonEarth. laboratory offers to perform theopportunity Space Station live in microgravity. This ‘weightless’ In ‘freefall’ around astronauts theplanet, onthe do notapply. governing sedimentation, buoyancy andconvection International Space Station isaplace where therules naturalunderstanding of phenomena. The it from theequation andwe canimprove our Gravity affects almost we do.everything Remove European sciencespace in OF HUMANKIND RESEARCH FOR THE BENEFIT
“ answers.” even more interesting than finding the I think that finding new questions can be you never know what you are going to get. The most exciting part of science is that An astronaut’s working space (ESA/NASA) SCIENCE Europe’s laboratory scientific inspace ispacked equipment (ESA/NASA) withhigh-technology on Earth –fromon Earth space to your doorstep. Intensive thislaboratory use of leadsto new applications andbenefits for people have beencarriedoutinthisremarkable experiment facility. laboratory constantly breaks new scientific ground. More than 250 experiments After adecadeinorbit,circling ourplanetat 28800 km/h, theversatile Columbus systems andcommunications links to scientists onEarth. Each asanindependent unit functions laboratory withitsown power, cooling Luca’s work station isaplacescience of where 16experiment facilities run24/7. microgravity neededto unmaskphenomenathat cannotbeobserved onEarth. and psychology. thiscomplex Insideandout, moduleoffers andpowerful the scientificof disciplines, from andsolarscience to metallurgy astrobiology research inweightlessness. Europe’s laboratory inspace houses awiderange Columbus is thefirstandonlyEuropean laboratory dedicated to long-term Where science happens THE COLUMBUS LABORATORY “ limits of human capabilities.” we need to go beyond, and to explore the way to learn what science and technology Working on the orbital outpost is our only SCIENCE for humansto access. missions in disasteror remote areas too dangerous Teleoperated rovers outsurveillance cancarry There isalsopotential for applications onEarth. microgravity. audio andforce feedback to testhisperformance in experiment willexpose Lucato acombination video, of In anew approach to real-time telerobotics, the with thehazardous terrain. on theSpace Station, andalsohow therobot copes interaction between ground teamsandtheastronaut up basebefore ESA teamswill monitor the landing. robotsmoons caninstruct to dodifficulttasks andset in whichastronauts orbitingdistant planetsand The Lanzarote, Spain. robotic explorer through the Moon-like landscapes of Earth. Hewilluseanintuitive interface to control the rocks andbringthembackto asimulated landeron operate arover to scout terrain, collect interesting From theInternational Space Station, Lucawill robot drives Astronaut EXPLORE FARTHER experimentAnalog-1 future enacts scenarios “ danger, we will do itthrough telerobotic operations from deep-space habitats.” with arover. We want to do exploration, but instead of putting ourselves in We are getting ready, inthe future, to go to the surface of the Moon or Mars Intelligent co-worker –the rover willbecontrolled by Lucafrom the Space Station (ESA) SCIENCE Alexander Gerst installstheLife Rack facility Support (ESA/NASA) post around theMoonfor deepspace missions. farther from Earth, such asto theGateway, a staging spaceflight asspace agencies prepare to explore These operations are a huge step for human supplies from Earth. astronauts to stay inspace indefinitelywithout costly and food production that willeventually enable closed life-support system, includingwater recovery These operations ESA’sof are part goal to create a produce oxygen for three astronauts. Life Rack Support Luca will operate andtesttheperformance ESA’s of shipped into space by about400litres peryear. oxygen reduces theamount water of that mustbe promises to recycle thecarbondioxide halfof into from water brought from Earth. Anew system that For years oxygen ontheSpace Station was extracted Each kilogram launchedinto space isvery expensive. Recycling for life inspace , afacility designedto beableto SCIENCE performance ourmicrobes? of gravitymartian andmining hinderthegrowth the way microbes caninteract withrocks. Would researchers to examine gravity how partial affects This experiment willallow, for thefirsttime, different gravity levels, from Marstogravity. Earth three microorganisms typesof andexpose themto ESA’s Kubik units, minilabsthat asetof willspin oxygen from minerals. The experiment willuse the way terrestrial gather bacteria nutrients and Researchers that suspect altered gravity changes systems. support rocks inspace conditions withapplications to life communities microorganisms of grow onthe bodies, aswell asyieldingnew insights into how they canbeusedin‘biomining’onotherplanetary how microbial minerscancolonise arock, whether The very usefulfor space exploration. recycle waste. These resistant multitaskers canbe Microbes canalsogenerate food andoxygen, and rocks –they canbeconsidered microscopic miners. as iron, calciumormagnesiumfrom thesurface of Some microbes are ableto extract minerals, such Space mining withmicrobes WORK SMARTER Biorock experiment willhelpscientists learn
A colony microbes of growing onabasalticrock asseenby afluorescence microscope (Universityof Edinburgh–R. Santomartino) SCIENCE Easy access to space research for cube-sized experiments (ESA/NASA) and molecularcomposition life of inouter space. spectrometer for analysing thechemicalelements will investigate the performance an of advanced Luca’s mission, theSPECTRODemo experiment attached to theSpace theoutsideof Station. During ground for anew ESA exobiology facility that willbe The fourth ICECubes experiment willtestthe survive inspace conditions. methane-producing microorganisms and how they Aprevioustime. ICECubesexperiment looked into to theharshconditions space of for longperiodsof microorganisms, seedsandlichens, suchasbacteria, but somelife forms can. ESA isplanningto expose Humans cannot survive in space without a spacesuit, experiment through aninternet connection. a customer canloginandsendcommands to their to Earth. From anywhere intheworld, at any time, sized experiments that relay experiment data back facility offers plug-and-play installation for cube- A first for European commercial research, the experimentsand technology inmicrogravity. allows fast, simple andaffordable access for research International Space Station, calledICECubesService Europe’s commercial research facility onthe experiment canbelaunchedto theSpace Station. From ideato reality inless thanayear, anyone’s Going commercial , SCIENCE clues isvital. where coordination in weightlessness with few visual astronauts, theresearch will beusefulduringspacewalks, relating to vertigo, balance andspatial orientation. For This research could shedlight on how to treat disorders movements. display inreal timeinresponse to hishand,bodyandarm a series tasks.of A 3D motion tracker will update the realityLuca willwearheadsetthat avirtual simulates downward force gravity of to keep your armstraight. clues aswell ashow shoulder musclescounteract the calculates how far your handismoving by usingvisual coordination. When reaching for coffee, acupof thebrain Grasp investigates behindeye–hand thephysiology levels. command robots onotherplanetswith different gravity prosthetic limbs on and Earth interfaces for astronauts to The body adaptsto every situation. grip-forces, moisture andacceleration to assesshow the while gripping a purpose-built sensor that measures to Hewillperformmovements grab aseriesof anobject. Luca willget ahandleonhow microgravity affects hisability Grasp experiments. manipulate inspace isat anobject thecore theGripand of new world withnoupordown. How theirbrains learnto Station, astronauts are like infants learningto adjustto a the weightless environment theInternational of Space Gravity isconstantly exerting itsforce onobjects.In Understanding the force LIVE BETTER Grip experiment ishelpful to engineersdesigning
A dexterous laboratory inspace (ESA/NASA) physiology, like our vestibular system, is affected upthere, we can use that “Once we understand how human knowledge to help those on Earth experiencing sensory problems.” sensory experiencing SCIENCE Thomas Pesquet usesEveryWear to monitor his health inorbit(ESA/NASA) nutritional diseases. astronauts duringandafter spaceflight, butalsohelp patients suffering from The results will helpimprove thephysical performance life andqualityof of best combination mealsfor of ahealthy stay inorbit. and connects the astronaut on Earth, with nutrition experts who can suggest the EveryWear isaniPad-based application that collects andmedicaldata physiology theNutrISSexperiment. of meals onatabletaspart Throughout hismissionLucawillmonitor changes inhis body massandloghis Research shows that intake energy inorbitisusuallylower thanonEarth. stores suchasprotein, fat andvitaminDare amongthenegatives space of travel. spaceflightof on the human body. Bone loss, muscle atrophy and depleted nutrient pairedAn optimal diet, with constant exercise, is essential to counteract the effects Energy balance SPACE STATION and work inspace uninterrupted for two decades. The endeavour hasbrought humanitytogether to live farther outinspace. how to manage therisks future of humanmissions relating to theeffectsof longstays inorbitteachus it ispossibleto sustainlife away from Earth. Results works ever achieved by humankind,andproof that The Station thegreatest isoneof engineering science. of in thehistory Japan andCanada thelargest inoneof partnerships broadof cooperation, unitingEurope, USA, Russia, The International Space Station isashiningexample DESTINATION: INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION DID YOUDID KNOW? • • • • • • • • The International Space Station • • • •
flies about flies
required house has beeninhabited to build andmaintain minutes orbits theplanetonce star is larger thana on Earth can beseenas aJumbojet speed of facilities withthenaked eye from mostplaces 200 space missions with two toilets and fitness withtwo toilets andfitness 400 km , 30timesfaster thanthe a bright moving six-bedroom since 2000 every 90 above Earth
“ Earth will help people live better.” Space Station and the results we bring back to because of the microgravity environment of the Much of the science we carry out is only possible
Roscosmos THE HUMAN FACTOR FITNESS: exercise for two hours per day, six days a week A day in the life SPACE STATION SPACE
FIRST TWO WEEKS: adapt to microgravity and Space Station working routine
Luca dedicates some of his free time to taking pictures from the Station’s Cupola, an observation module made in Europe (ESA/NASA) Andreas Mogensen exercises in the space gym to prevent muscle and bone loss during long-duration spaceflight (ESA/NASA) SPACE STATION Samantha Cristoforetti rests in herfree-floating sleepingbag(ESA/NASA) SLEEP : eight hoursperday Thomas Pesquet contacts amateur radio stations (ESA/NASA) onEarth SOCIAL : enjoy dailyphonecallswithfamily andfriends FACTS FIGURES AND • • • • • • • • Over
months: 6 879 days 230 Cosmonaut GennadyPadalka hasspent arecord to buildandmaintain theStation single stay inspace, Cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov holdstherecord for thelongest Astronauts have performed over 560 people have stayed ontheInternational Space Station inspace over five missions typicalastronaut stay ontheStation 437 days have whicharound of beento space, 210 spacewalks onMirin1994/5
SPACE STATION Blood draw for health and science research inspace (ESA/NASA) HEALTH CHECK: participate inweekly conferences participate withdoctors Alexander Gerst carriesoutcleaningdutiesonStation (ESA/NASA) WEEKENDS carry out housekeeping, publicrelations outhousekeeping, : carry andvoluntary tasks, plusspare time SOYUZ to reach andleave theInternational Space Station. currently theonlytransport system for astronauts as itslauncher–Soyuz means‘union’ –anditis world. The Soyuz spacecraft shares thesamename they are themost-used launchvehicles inthe and satellites into orbitfor over halfacentury – Soyuz rockets have launchedcrewed spacecraft Earth’s orbitand float in‘weightless’. and at about25000km/h, speedsof hewillenter Kazakhstan.of Less than10minutesinto theflight propel LucaParmitano into space from thesteppes with 225 tonnes fuel and of liquid oxygen, will Four boosters, eachabout20minlengthloaded A voyage withSoyuz RETURN TICKET TO SPACE KEY DATA KEY Launcher Spacecraft Landing Launch Launch site
Soyuz FG Soyuz MS-13 December 2019 July 2019 Baikonur, Kazakhstan A Soyuz rocket launchesfrom theBaikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan (NASA–B. Ingalls) SOYUZ The Soyuz spacecraft cantransport upto three people to andfrom theInternational Space Station (ESA–A. Gerst) copilot duringlaunchandreturn to Earth. the Soyuz commander Lucawillsupport as mode. and dock in orbit in an automated or manual control The Soyuz spacecraft canmanoeuvre, rendezvous SOYUZ Russian search and rescue teams arrive after at thelandingsiteshortly touchdown (NASA–B. Ingalls) and post-flight science willtake place. where allmedicalchecks, rehabilitation activities mission. Lucawillflydirectly to Germany,Cologne, Soyuz touchdown his‘Beyond’ willsignaltheendof Less thanfour hoursafter leaving theStation, the equivalent 5timestheirbodyweight. of seats withadeceleration feeling up to of 5g, the dramatically andthecrew ispushedbackinto their the speedat whichthecapsuletravels isreduced Reentry beginsat about100km, analtitudeof when into Earth’s atmosphere –thedescent module. the three theSoyuz modulesof survives thereentry Soyuz capsulewithhistwo crewmates. Onlyoneof over sixmonths, Lucawillreturn to inthe Earth After livingandworking ontheSpace Station for Luca back on Earth in 2013(ESA–S.Luca backonEarth Corvaja) FUTURE spatial awareness andmore. missions targeting strength, endurance, coordination, teamwork inhands-ontraining whileparticipating 8 and12years oldwillpractice scientific reasoning and lifestyle for mission success. Students aged between school children tips on maintaining a fit and healthy focused on health, fitness and nutrition. Luca will give the Mission-X aninternational challenge, campaign explorers are ontheirmarks to train like astronauts for Space training goes backto school.Future space Mission-X experiment to investigate life inspace oronEarth. ‘Mission Space Lab’teamswilldesignascientific the Station’s temperature ontheAstro Pi computers, teams willwork to display agreeting message and year by joiningtwo challenges. While ‘Mission Zero’ own computer programmes inorbitduringtheschool up to 19years old,have to runtheir theopportunity board theSpace Station. Students allover Europe, sensorsandcamerasequipped withahostof on Astro Pi usestwo credit card-sized computers European Astro Pi Challenge and alsopromote ahealthy lifestyle. mathematics amongthenext generation explorers, of technology,the study science, of engineering and down to Earth.activities The astronaut willencourage Luca Parmitano willbringauniverse educational of Smart and fit THE SPACE GENERATION “ go farther and keep exploring.” enable the next generation to Earth orbit will eventually What we are learning inlow Astro Pi gives to run their own computer students programmes theopportunity inspace (AlasdirAllan/Bailim Light Industries) FUTURE Artist’s impression Orionover of theMoon(NASA/ESA/ATG Medialab) “ into play.” Station comes where the Space those worlds. That is to survive and operate in Mars, we have to know how to go back to the Moon and towards For us to be able to go into open space,
greatest adventure. with Europe asaleading force inhumankind’s sending thefirst Europeans to theMoonand beyond, These stepsare bringinguscloserto ourambition: cooperation andwithcommercial partners. regions withrobots, hand-in-hand ininternational ambitions foresee humansexploring thepolar Moving away from one-shot orbital missions, bold dark polarregions. water ice that scientists believe may befound inthe withRussiapartnership asearly2023,lookingfor ESA ispreparing for arobotic Moonlandingin in space thanonthe International Space Station. learn to live and work a thousand times farther out adistantlunar orbit, humanoutpostwhere we can Mars. Orionwillalsohelpto buildtheGateway in Module at itscore, will build bridges to Moon and NASA’s Orion spacecraft, with the on theMoon. International Space Station, ESA issettingitssights While continuing to exploit operations onthe theland, off away from Earth. together to openthedoorto future explorers living astronauts, engineersandscientists are working Space isaharsh, inhospitablefrontier. European The future in our hands BEYOND European Service An ESA Production 2019 European Space Agency www.esa.int