French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet re-familiarises himself with the Grasp experiment on the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. Thomas will proceed working this experiment throughout his second mission on board the International Space Station.Thomas commissioned the Grasp or Gravitational References for Sensimotor Performance experiment throughout his first mission to the Space Station, referred to as Proxima, in 2017.The experiment checks how the mind interprets visible cues with out gravity. Using a VR headset, the topic should full a collection of duties like catching a ball or pouring a glass of water. The astronaut topic is held in place by straps to keep away from bumping into costly or vital gear whereas performing the experiment.“It was a bit disconcerting,” Thomas famous of the primary time he carried out the experiment on the Space Station, “but very fun to be in the Space Station which is already out-of-this-world while also being in another (virtual) reality.”Watch a timelapse of Thomas establishing and performing the experiment in weightlessness right here.Thomas will carry out this experiment once more throughout his second mission, referred to as Alpha, scheduled for launch in spring 2021. Read extra about mission Alpha and the primary European to journey to the Space Station on a SpaceX Crew Dragon right here.Astronaut training is extra than simply area suit-ups and spacewalk simulations in a giant pool. They should additionally develop into conversant in experiment {hardware} and laboratory gear they may use whereas performing scientific experiments on board the International Space Station.All astronauts from ESA and worldwide companions who fly to the International Space Station spend time at ESA’s Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, the place ESA instructors practice them within the operation of all main European {hardware} on board the International Space Station, together with the Columbus laboratory.
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