The Journey of Andreas as he Returns to Earth
After more than six months on the International Space Station, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen and the rest of Crew-7 are preparing to return to Earth. Their journey back home is scheduled for 11 March 2024 at 13:15 GMT/14:15 CET, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida on 12 March at 09:35 GMT/10:35 CET.
Undocking from the International Space Station, the Crew Dragon spacecraft will perform a series of burns to distance itself from the station before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. The Dragon’s heat shield will protect it from the intense heat generated by re-entry, which can reach temperatures as high as 1600°C. This critical phase of the mission demonstrates the cutting-edge tech and engineering that allows for a safe return to Earth.
Andreas Mogensen played an important role as the pilot on Crew Dragon during this mission, making him the first non-US astronaut to serve in that capacity. Describing it as an honor to be assigned this responsibility, Mogensen expressed gratitude for the trust shown in ESA and his work. His dedication and expertise led him to become the commander of the International Space Station, taking over from Sergei Prokopyev. On 1 February 2024, Mogensen became the longest-serving European commander in history, surpassing Luca Parmitano’s previous record set in 2020.
Science played a central role during Mogensen’s time on the International Space Station. He conducted over 30 European experiments, contributing to our understanding of various scientific fields. Among these experiments, Mogensen installed a metal 3D printer in the Columbus module to test its performance under microgravity conditions. This achievement paves the way for future printing of tools and spare parts in space. Additionally, Mogensen used the Cupola, a window on the Space Station, to capture images of the new Moon as part of the Earthshine experiment, providing valuable data for climate scientists. He also observed thunder clouds and rare lightning phenomena on Earth through the Thor Davis experiment.
During the Huginn mission, another significant event took place when the Axiom Mission3 crew, including fellow Scandinavian Marcus Wandt, visited the Space Station. The mission names Huginn and Muninn draw inspiration from Norse mythology, specifically the ravens of the god Odin. The myth tells the story of how these ravens gathered information for Odin and returned each evening to recount what they had witnessed. Andreas Mogensen chose these names for his mission as he saw parallels between the ravens and his mission to share his experiences from above the Earth. This collaboration with fellow astronauts underscores the spirit of international cooperation in space exploration.
The return of Andreas Mogensen and Crew-7 is eagerly anticipated, and their undocking and splashdown can be watched on ESA WebTV. The specific timings of these milestones are subject to change, so viewers are encouraged to check the schedule for the most up-to-date information. The successful completion of this mission highlights the achievements of ESA and its partners in advancing our understanding of space and exploring new frontiers. The knowledge gained from these endeavors will undoubtedly contribute to future missions and humanity’s broader scientific pursuits.