In 2009, volcanologist Alexander Gerst from Germany became a member of the European Space Agency's Astronaut Corps.
Having undergone a rigorous international training programme, on 28 May 2014 he'll be launched to the International Space Station on a long-duration mission – becoming the second of ESA's new generation of astronauts to travel into orbit.
This video recalls the career of Alexander and show several parts of his training. It includes interviews with Alexander in English and German