Launching satellites from Space Station – step two

ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet working in the Kibo laboratory to prepare a CubeSat launch – at 30 times increased speed.

This follows a previous video to prepare for the launch the CubeSats on 16 January 2017. Thomas is installing the deployment system, the last step before the International Space Station's Japanese robotic arm takes over.

The cylinder in the back is the mini-airlock that allows objects to be sent outside the Space Station. The CubeSats are on the slide table in four blocks. Thomas protects the airlock ring and works to hook up the satellites and protect them. He holds up a blue label to show ground control that it has been removed as planned. The video was recorded live so some parts of the video are missing due to the regular loss of signal when the International Space Station loses line of sight with its communication satellite.

Thomas is spending six months on the International Space Station as part of his Proxima mission. During Proxima, Thomas will perform around 50 scientific experiments for ESA and France’s space agency CNES as well as take part in many research activities for the other Station partners. The mission is part of ESA’s vision to use Earth-orbiting spacecraft as a place to live and work for the benefit of European society while using the experience to prepare for future voyages of exploration further into the Solar System.

Connect with Thomas Pesquet: http://thomaspesquet.esa.int