Thomas, Oleg and Peggy. Credits: NASA–Alexander Vysotsky

Thomas, Oleg and Peggy. Credits: NASA–Alexander Vysotsky

With less than a week to go before launch here are the highlights of ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet’s last few days on Earth before launch to the International Space Station.

  • 10 November: tree planting ceremnoy
  • 11 November: 2nd fit-check of the Soyuz spacecraft
  • 13 November: Friends and family arrive before launch
  • 14 November: the Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad
  • 16 November: sate commission declares flight readiness and press conference with crew
  • 17 November: launch!

A final tradition before launch is watching the classic Russian film “White Sun of the Desert” on the eve of launch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAYuIDxe9pM