Horizons mission – docking and hatch opening highlights
After orbiting Earth 34 times to catch up to the International Space Station, the car-sized spacecraft carrying ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Roscosmos commander Sergei Prokopyev, arrived at the Station two days after launch.
The German astronaut is a returning visitor to the International Space Station, the first of ESA’s 2009 class of astronauts to be sent into space for a second time. During the second part of his mission Alexander will take over as commander of the International Space Station, only the second time an ESA astronaut will take on this role so far.
The mission is called Horizons as a symbol for the unknown and what lies beyond – reflecting on ESA’s strategy to extend human and robotic exploration beyond Earth orbit. While in space, Alexander will work on over 50 European experiments, including testing ways of operating and working with robots to develop techniques required for further human and robotic exploration of our Solar System.
★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe
Follow Alexander and the Horizons mission on social media via bit.ly/AlexanderGerstESA and on http://bit.ly/HorizonsBlogESA.
Anyone see the red and green orbs at 0:48? You may have to turn down the playback speed. I do not think they are part of the space craft.
Nice! But when do we start with the MoonVillage?
wonder what new modules will be going up soon
Alexander Gerst is flying the colours of the entire Europe.
I wish there will be a European astronaut in each and every mission to the ISS. And not only to the ISS.
Are philea still active and rosetta too ?
Edit: Or everyone take a big sleep
Loved how Alex just cruised through the space station,he knows it very well 👍
And Serena taking small steps adjusting to the new environment
great show
Where can I find some footage that covers the complete procedure from blast-off to docking? That would be awesome.