ESA astronauts Alexander Gerst, Matthias Maurer, Samantha Cristoforetti and Thomas Pesquet completed a helicopter training course with the German Bundeswehr, Germany’s federal defence forces. They participated in a three-week training programme at the International Helicopter Training Centre in Bückeburg, Germany. The course included one week of simulator instruction followed by two weeks of practical flying in EC135 helicopters, with operations conducted over central Germany and in mountainous terrain in the German Alps.
Helicopter training offers a realistic analogue for the dynamics of planetary landings, requiring capabilities such as vertical take-off and landing, terrain-based decision-making, and high levels of coordination and situational awareness. These skills are essential for future human spaceflight missions, including lunar landings, where astronauts will descend to the surface using a human landing system and later launch back to orbit. Helicopter manoeuvres closely mirror these mission phases, helping astronauts build proficiency in environments that demand precision and adaptability.
Alexander and Matthias began the course in mid-September, with Samantha and Thomas joining at the beginning of October. The group formally graduated from training on 17 October, marking a key milestone in Europe’s preparations for future missions to the Moon and operations on the lunar surface.