The MagISStra Mission

With the ISS now complete, ESA is about to embark upon its third long-term mission in orbit.

Following his mission to the ISS in 2007, ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli will return to the station as Flight Engineer for a 6-month stay in December 2010. He will be launched on a Soyuz TMA spacecraft, from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Paolo will carry out an intensive programme of experiments developed by scientists from all over the world that will make full use of ISS facilities, especially the European laboratory Columbus. These will include studies in the fields of human research, fluid physics, radiation, biology and technology demonstrations.

Paolo’s duties onboard will include participating in docking operations for ESA’s second Automated Transfer Vehicle and the Japanese HTV unmanned supply vessel.

In combination with the Cupola, Paolo will use a novel 3D camera developed by ESA and will produce unprecedented images of the Earth and the ISS. As part of his educational programme, he will participate in Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut, an international initiative to promote exercise and nutrition amongst 8-12 year-olds and in a Greenhouse in Space activity for 12-14 year-olds.