Status: 05/20/2022 8:15 p.m
The German astronaut Maurer was able to observe environmental destruction and war from the ISS. Upon his return, he will speak in tagesschau24-Interview about his impressions, insights and the difficult field missions in space.
The German astronaut Matthias Maurer called for the protection of the planet after his return to Earth. “With the heart you can immediately feel how we humans are changing this planet,” he said in an interview tagesschau24. “We have to wake people up and treat the planet more gently” – he brought this knowledge with him from his mission, reported the 52-year-old, who is currently being examined by doctors at the Astronaut Center in Cologne.
The ISS orbits the earth in 90 minutes. The astronauts have a good view of the earth through the space window. During his six-month stay, he observed human intervention: in South America, the boundary between farmland and jungle was clearly visible – through the smoke from the clearing. Where glaciers and lakes are still marked on the maps, he was sometimes no longer able to see them from space.
Astronaut Matthias Maurer on his six-month stay in space
tagesschau24 2:00 p.m., 20.5.2022
War in Ukraine observed from space
Maurer was also able to follow the war in Ukraine from space – via news apps and through the space window: “When the war started, Ukraine was also very dark at night,” said Maurer. People turned off the lights for fear of being attacked. Only small flashes from impacting projectiles and columns of smoke could be seen.
Maurer appealed not to give up international cooperation despite the Russian war of aggression: “You shouldn’t destroy everything that has been built,” he demands. Because of the war, there are significant tensions between Moscow and the western space nations. Russia’s space agency Roskosmos recently left the station’s future open after the contract expired in 2024.
Outdoor use an “incredible experience”
Maurer was the twelfth German in space. On the ISS he participated in more than 130 experiments and completed one field mission. He left the space station with respect and heart palpitations. “An incredible experience.” It is fascinating that the space suit allows one to survive in space.
Is there a replay for masons in space? “I would be happy,” said the Saarlander. He hopes to be able to add a second flight.