Volare mission director Roland Luettgens sent us an update on Luca’s first week in space:

ATV-4 Launch heading for Luca!

Time is passing fast and Luca has already been on the International Space Station for a whole week. We had some very busy days after launch and docking last Thursday. Many people have been wondering how Luca is adapting to life in space and how he feels; Luca still has a lot to do to feel comfortable in his new home.

Last week we developed the plan for this week and from last Monday Luca was in full swing with full-day planning and very little free time. In addition to his daily schedule, whereby every activity is planned down to the minute, we offer him additional tasks that astronauts can choose to do voluntarily.

One of Luca’s first tasks was to prepare the Columbus module for new cargo that will arrive on ESA’s supply ship ATV Albert Einstein. This was planned for the end of last week and I thought to myself: ‘”Let’s see if Luca will find the time to clean the module.” It took Luca less than a full day. I received a call from the Control Room on the weekend: “Luca has already completed the task!”

This week and next week is dedicated to several activities preparing for the arrival of ATV Albert Einstein. We need to conclude several tests on the International Space Station to ensure all systems are ready and functional for the docking of the spacecraft 15 June. With a great launch yesterday, ATV-4 is definitely on its way!

Experiments
While waiting for ATV-4 to arrive, Luca will be conducting his next scientific experiments for ESA: SKIN-B and CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS.

Astronauts often suffer from cracking skin and rashes or itchiness as they lose more skin cells and age faster during spaceflight. The SKIN-B experiment will be the first research into skin in space. The experiment will collect data on Luca’s skin such as its structure, oxygenation, hydration and elasticity. Scientists will analyse the data to develop a computer model of how skin ages. This model could contribute to helping protect people’s skin on Earth as well as in space.

Luca experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets every day on the International Space Station. How his biological clock will react is of interest to the next generation of astronauts as well as people on Earth who work irregular hours such as doctors and emergency workers. The CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS experiment measures Luca’s temperature and melatonin, a hormone linked to sleep. The findings will help in working out how to rest effectively and be alert when most needed.

Who was that?
One difficulty we experienced at mission control since last week is due to the fact that Chris Cassidy decided to shave his head. While the crew is operating on the International Space Station, we monitor them at the Control Centre through on-board video cameras. Many times we looked and asked ourselves, is this Luca or Chris we are looking at?

ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy. Credits: ESA/NASA