Luca during winter survival training

ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano during winter survival training near Star City, Russia.

Survival training is an important part of all Soyuz mission training. There is always the possibility that a Soyuz spacecraft could land in a remote, cold area. All astronauts have to learn to survive in harsh climates while waiting for rescue.

Luca is assigned flight engineer on a long duration mission to the International Space Station planned for 2013.