Alexander using a flare for survival training

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst using a flare during winter survival training near Star City, Russia, on 23 January 2013.

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

Alexander Gerst is flight engineer for Expedition 40/41, which will be launched to the Station in May 2014 on a long-duration mission to run science experiments and maintain humankind’s space base.