As an Astronaut Alexander is the hall of the European astronaut centre in Cologne, Germany Gerst enters, he is driving a welding part of the day already completed. “I have today been two and a half hours of exercise program behind me,” he says, obviously in a good mood. He must recover his strength after almost 200 days in the weightlessness of space. It will change in the next few days little. Not even to the Christmas days, the Gerst can spend with his family. There will be “push-UPS under the Christmas tree,” says Gerst. “Just so that I stay fit.”
“Astro Alex” since Thursday, back from his second space mission on the International space station ISS. As the first German he had been there as a commander. He is also now the German with the longest space practice: 166 days he has spent in 2014, in All 197 days this year. In short: Gerst, a historical figure now. As it was reported on Saturday in Cologne for the first time in detail about his Mission, the interest is huge.
The second ISS use was actually easier than the first, he says. “It immediately works with the Float, so that was absolutely right back,” says the 42-Year-old. His feet would have remembered, for example, instinctively, where on the ISS are Fußläufe to hook.
working as a commander was equal to have been something Special. Gerst compares with an expedition leader, you must have the eye for the big picture – therefore, he said he felt for the ISS is responsible. About after the daily work. “Then hovering again through the modules and look: Is everything okay here?”
The circumstances on the ISS were also special for another reason. After the failed launch of a Soyuz rocket in mid-October had to Gerst have to wait long to gain. When he got the message, he had actually been orange juice for the Crew cold.
“I’m still in the astronaut corps,”
“and You suddenly realize: in The next two to three months everything will change completely,” he describes in hindsight in the Moment. You had to reorganize work. In addition to Overtime, it was about getting the Crew together – for example, with common film evenings. He said he was glad to be back, but he also miss his friends at the ISS, says Gerst. “Friends, man, the keep. I’m sure that will last a lifetime.“
It is regarded as likely that the 42-flying Year to All. He considers himself so far, but covered. “I’m still in the astronaut corps.” He was so available. But that was not his personal decision. “I have more colleagues who are now also first turn again.”
More about
Alexander lucky Gerst case for space
Frank Herold, Richard Friebe
His near future is planned. Gerst wants to celebrate with his family Christmas and is glad that him a little air in the daily program of Rehabilitation, sports, and scientific experiments was procured. A tiny Problem, however, there. “All the gifts I’ve actually been – no,” says Gerst. This year, he had a pretty good excuse: the lack of time. “But I have been assured that it’s not this year.” (dpa)
