As part of our work for the European Space Agency (ESA), we are supporting astronaut Andreas Mogensen’s ‘iriss’ mission to the International Space Station (ISS). EQ editor Julien Harrod is working from the Columbus Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany throughout the mission, and covering it on the ESA iriss mission blog.
ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen is Denmark’s first astronaut. He launched into space on 2 September 2015 before docking to the station two days later. The iriss mission will last a total of 10 days — significantly shorter compared to the 6 months that astronauts typically spend aboard the ISS.
The goal of the iriss mission blog is to provide the world with a window into life on the ISS. Behind-the-scenes information from the entire 10-day mission is being shared by our Human Spaceflight editor Julien— illustrated with photos taken in orbit. He is following the same schedule as the Danish astronaut, ensuring that his day on Earth is synchronised with Andreas’ in space. As a result, people can closely follow what Andreas is doing. Julien publishes blog posts, answers questions and informs people of what Andreas is doing on every flight day, getting detailed input from Col-CC mission operators.
In the 8 days that Andreas is spending in the ISS, important research within the fields of robotics, spacesuits, water purification, nano-technology and space food will be carried out. He has already completed the Aquamembrane experiment – purifying waste water with new nano-technology membranes. Meanwhile, he is filling up on space snacks and testing muesli bars that may bring spaceflight one step closer to a closed-loop ecosystem, whilst trying on SkinSuit – a skin-tight garment made to be worn inside the ISS.
Andreas is set to land back on Earth later this week, on 12 September. We’re happy to be supporting him on this short, yet sweet mission, brimming with exciting research, observations and people.
Follow the iriss blog and @esaoperations, as well as @astro_andreas own Twitter account.
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