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Wearing a spacesuit and a big smile, ESA\u00a0project astronaut Marcus Wandt trains\u00a0inside\u00a0a SpaceX\u00a0Dragon vehicle\u00a0in California, USA. Marcus is preparing for his Axiom 3 Mission (Ax-3) to the International Space Station, scheduled to launch no earlier than 10 January 2024, European time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe inside of the spacecraft has the smell of a new car,\u201d Marcus says. The Swedish astronaut was used to the warm smell inside the cockpit of fighter jets, where he has flown as a military fighter and test pilot over the last two decades.<\/p>\n
That changed in November 2022, when he was announced as one of the 17 new astronaut candidates chosen from over 22 500 applicants from across ESA Member States. He defines himself as an action-oriented thinker able to adapt quickly to different missions.<\/p>\n
Marcus started intensive training for his spaceflight in June 2023. As a project astronaut, his job at ESA is linked to this specific flight opportunity on a fixed-term contract.<\/p>\n
The Swedish astronaut is the first of a new generation of European astronauts to fly on a commercial human spaceflight opportunity with Axiom Space. Marcus\u2019s mission, supported by ESA and the Swedish National Space Agency, is called Muninn.<\/p>\n
Marcus will spend up to 14 days in orbit conducting over 20 science and technology experiments. He will fly on the Dragon as a mission specialist, together with Ax-3 commander Michael L\u00f3pez-Alegr\u00eda, pilot Walter Villadei from Italy and mission specialist Alper Gezeravc\u0131 from T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n
Follow Marcus\u2019s journey on the Muninn website, check our launch kit and connect with Marcus on his Instagram and X<\/a> accounts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n