THE PROMISSE MISSION

THE PROMISSE MISSION

Following his first short-duration Soyuz mission to the ISS in 2004, ESA astronaut André Kuipers will return to the Station on 21 December 2011. He will be launched on a Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft, from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, as a member of the orbital outpost’s Expeditions 30 and 31.

During the 5-month PromISSe mission, André will carry out an extensive programme of experiments, including studies in human research, biology, fluid science, material science, radiation and technology.

He will also conduct an important education programme, underlining how space activities can bring knowledge and benefits to our own spaceship, Earth. A series of lessons from space will educate children in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

André will also conduct sessions of ‘Mission-X: Train Like an Astronaut’, a worldwide initiative to teach students the importance of physical activity and healthy nutrition.