What will Thomas Baskett do in ISS? Five things to know about the French astronaut’s second shelter

Six months for alpha work. Thomas Pesket returns to space four and a half years after his first departure to the International Space Station (ISS). The 43-year-old Frenchman will depart with three other astronauts on Thursday, April 22nd. Francinefo lists five things to know about Thomas Peskett’s second shelter.

1He will be the ISS Commander for the second part of his mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) announced at a press conference in March that Thomas Baskett would be promoted to space station commander for the second part of his mission. “I’m lucky to be the first Frenchman to control a spacecraft. Thanks to history, France and Europe’s place on manned aircraft, it’s recognized by all.”, Welcomed the former pilot.

“It’s like a boat, there is only one master after God.”, French comment. “Obviously, there are a lot of things to be decided at the ground control center.”, He recalled. And “People who work on the ground make a lot of decisions in advance. But if there’s a voice on the board, it’s important, it’s the captain’s voice.”, He insisted. In particular, he is the one who oversees maneuvers in emergencies.

“When things go bad and you have to act quickly, the commander will decide who assigns a little of the tasks, for example, if we have to deal with a fire or depression.”

Thomas Baskett

During a press conference

However, I.S. The Frenchman emphasized the knowledge and skills of the members on board. “Everyone is talented. An astronaut does not have to tell people what to do in a team, but the final decision is still up to the station commander.”, He noted.

2He must complete four spaceflights

The residence of Thomas Baskett will be marked by four additional vehicle journeys, in other words, in space, ISS. Main Objective: To install new solar panels. “We need a little more electricity. We have 76-80 kilowatts or more, and we want a little more.”, Astronaut in detail. These scrolling panels fit into large tubes “About 350 kg”. “These are really somewhat ambitious journeys”, Thomas Baskett comments, noting that they will take place “At the end of the station”.

During his first stay at the International Space Station, Thomas Baskett was already on a cruise. But to keep pace, to get back on track, he had to follow new training. He agreed to comment on the “special ambassador” about the scenes of his hundreds of hours of swimming pool training with the diving suit.

Astronauts equipped with “space screwdriver” and compressed gloves are trained in all kinds of maintenance operations during their preparation. “It’s not easy, it’s like trying to play the piano with boxing gloves.”, Said Thomas Baskett. The four trips of the show were not enough to start the impression of the French: “It’s so exciting.”

3He was the first European to board a crew dragon

Thomas Baskett was the first European astronaut to board the crew dragon built by the American company SpaceX. This ship is the most recent: its first manned aircraft launches in May 2020. For now, it only carried two employees. But the Frenchman is optimistic. “I’m very optimistic. In this business, if you focus on things that can go wrong, you should not sleep well at night.”, Did he announce?

The astronaut is set to leave for ISS with three travel partners: Japanese Akihiko Hoshaid and Americans Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbero. Two American astronauts will be in command of the capsule. Thomas Baskett and Akihiko Hosheid will also settle on the sides Task specialists.

“Once it goes bad, it’s up to us to play. If all goes well, we ‘re a pioneer who’s not much involved in aircraft behavior.”

Thomas Baskett

At the press conference

“This is an American vehicle, NASA decides”, Recalled Thomas Basket. Before qualifying: “Obviously, we do everything in collaboration with the team. No decision can be made without the involvement of all four.”

4He will carry out a hundred experiments

Thomas Baskett’s schedule will be loaded on the ISS ship in six months. The French had to carry out a hundred tests. 12 pounds of them were designed by the Center for Micro Gravity Functions and Space Functions (KATMOS) in Toulouse. These tests will be carried out in the European Columbus complex and, among other things, will prepare for long-distance space travel.

In the viewfinder: the red planet. “The ultimate goal, at least for the next hundred years, is to make Mars the twin sister of Earth because it has a very similar history because it contains so much liquid water.”, Handed over Thomas Pesket to the “Special Envoy” in France 2.

When asked about an experience that was especially close to his heart, Thomas Baskett mentioned something related “Mini brain, a petri dish for brain stem cells (…)”. The purpose is to study the age of these stem cells to better understand the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Thomas Baskett will also work on a study called “Dreams” that focuses on the sleep of astronauts. Rachel Depps, a neurologist at the University of Toulouse, explains to Francinefo that we are “We know there is trouble in space to monitor sleep because there can be no day-night alternation for more than 24 hours.”. In fact, I.S. “He watches the sunrise and sets 16 times a day, which is not the normal rhythm of the creature, so it disturbs the sleep of the astronauts.”, The expert continues.

5He picks up a knob

With Thomas Basket there is no bulb, no creature, no animal, no plant, no fungus. The bubble will be raised at the International Space Station under the watchful eye of the French astronaut.

A single-celled organism called the “visceral polycephaly”. She has no mouth or brain, but moves, eats and has amazing learning skills. Many models are ISS. The goal is to see “If the bubble behaves differently in space”, And study “The effects of microgravity and radiation on its evolution”, Cnes mentioned.