ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer is preparing to fly to the International Space Station for his first space mission, known as ‘Cosmic Kiss’. Matthias will be the second ESA astronaut to fly under NASA’s Commercial Crew Programme. He is expected to be launched from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, as part of SpaceX Crew-3, alongside NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Thomas H. Marshburn.

During his Cosmic Kiss mission, Matthias will carry out essential science, research and operations in microgravity on behalf of researchers and international partners around the world. The knowledge gained through this work will help preserve and enhance life on Earth as we prepare to explore even farther beyond our planet.