European Space Agency has published an amazing time-lapse video showing the Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). The space agency wrote “Join ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst for a quick flight from the USA to Africa aboard the International Space Station in this time-lapse filmed 12.5 times faster than actual speed.” You can watch that breathtaking video below:
In the footage, which is sped up by a factor of 12.5, the space station passes over the U.S. and Africa and covers around 8,700 miles (14,000 kilometers).
“Seen from a distance our planet is just a blue dot, a fragile spaceship for humankind. We need to understand the Universe we live in to protect our home.”
Alexander Gerst
Alexander Gerst
Born 3 May 1976 in Künzelsau, Baden-Württemberg, Dr. Alexander Gerst is a German European Space Agency astronaut and geophysicist, who was selected in 2009 to take part in space training. He was part of the International Space Station Expedition 40 and 41 from May to November 2014. Gerst returned to the space station on June 6, 2018, as part of Expedition 56.
He has launched for his second tour to the ISS on Soyuz MS-09 on 6 June 2018 Gerst will transfer over the Expedition 57, which is expected to begin in October 2018 upon the departure of Soyuz MS-08, as commander. This is the second time a European astronaut takes up this leading position on the Space Station. A commander’s main responsibilities are to maintain morale among the crew, look after safety and operations, and follow the instructions dictated by the flight director on the ground.
During his first stay in orbit, he carried out over 50 science experiments. Highlights of the “Blue Dot” mission included a spacewalk and the docking of Europe’s last Automated Transfer Vehicle, a resupply vehicle for the International Space Station.
“Horizons” is the name of his second mission, which also comes packed with science. In the mission, he shared the ride in the Soyuz capsule with Russian cosmonaut Sergei Prokopyev and US astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor.
“Looking back on Earth helps you gain a new perspective. The view is beautiful, the feeling – overwhelming. Our planet is a really special place.”
Alexander Gerst
Sources
- Alexander Gerst on Wikipedia
- “Breathtaking Time-Lapse Video Shows Earth from International Space Station” on Space.com
- European Space Agency “Horizons Misson” (pdf)
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