DIVE INTO THE ASTRONAUTS’ DAILY LIVES AT THE HEART OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
With the participation of the European Space Agency, ESA, CNES and Comat, RELIVE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR’S SPACE MISSIONS IN A LIVING AND IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION
After following the Alpha mission of French astronaut of the ESA, Thomas Pesquet, in 2021, follow the European astronauts of the European Space Agency, ESA, who are currently aboard or who will leave for the International Space Station (ISS) in 2022.
In the exhibition area “Currently on the ISS,” Cité de l’espace offers you new features to relive the highlights of the year’s space missions, from the preparation on the ground, the teams involved, the voyage, bound for the International Space Station, daily life on the mission, up to the experiments and scientific objectives of these expeditions.
Exhibition Area “Currently on the ISS”
Step into a control room set and immerse yourself in the current mission of German astronaut Matthias Maurer: Cosmic Kiss. Through exclusive first-hand accounts, the ESA and CNES teams share the issues of this mission and its progress with you.
After six months on mission, Matthias will be replaced by the ESA’s Italian astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti.
In total, then, it will be the highlights of these three space missions which have marked 2021-2022 and their spacewalks which will be commented on and explained by Cité de l’espace’s scientific experts.
Throughout the year, find out about the experiments carried out on the ISS. European astronauts will pick up from Thomas Pesquet in carrying out some scientific experiments started during the Alpha mission.
Two of these experiments, prepared and monitored from Toulouse by CADMOS (Help Centre in Developing Activities in Weightlessness and Space Operations) at CNES, are, moreover, on display at Cité de l’espace:
- Dream: a study of astronauts’ sleep
- Edible Foam: experimental use of reusable, biodegradable and edible packaging materials.
NEW: TAKE A SEAT IN THE CREW DRAGON CAPSULE
In 2021, Thomas Pesquet was the first European astronaut to travel aboard the new SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. A capsule which also took Matthias Maurer to the ISS in November and in which Samantha Cristoforetti will also take her place for her departure for expedition 68.
At the heart of the exhibition area “Currently on the ISS,” take your own seat in the cabin of the Crew Dragon capsule and dream you are a real astronaut!
A NOD: THE SPECIAL EUROPEAN CUP JERSEY OF STADE TOULOUSAIN
An example of the Stade Toulousain jersey, produced in collaboration with ESA and Thomas Pesquet
Discover an example of the Stade Toulousain jersey, produced in collaboration with ESA and Thomas Pesquet. This jersey, unveiled in December 2020 at Cité de l’espace, has many space references.
©Stade Toulousain
For example, its badge highlights the stars which Stade Toulousain wears as a result of its European titles, as well as Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our Sun, which inspired the name of Thomas Pesquet’s first mission aboard the International Space Station, in 2016.
with the participation of 
and with the support of
CONTINUE YOUR DISCOVERY OF EUROPEAN SPACE MISSIONS WITH THE PRESENTATION “HOW DOES THE ESA RECRUIT ITS ASTRONAUTS? “
Try your hand at the candidates’ selection tests
Take part in this novel presentation to understand how European astronauts’ recruitment takes place. The ESA is looking for candidates, men and women, who have many skills essential to fulfil future space missions to the ISS, the Moon and the planet Mars: visual perception, memory, logic, spatial awareness, collaboration, team spirit, self-control, communication abilities, etc..
Try out, solo and in teams, a few tests and scenarios inspired by the real selection process.A chance for curiosity, the individual and collective challenge and the pleasure of learning. In this way, everyone can discover for themselves and test on themselves the skills level expected by ESA. And who knows? Will it stimulate astronaut or engineer careers?
A participatory presentation designed in partnership with ESA
Consult the schedule of our events
BUT ALSO WITH THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITION, “EUROPE EXPLORING FOR THE FUTURE”
In Astralia, the new large-format photo exhibition, “Europe Exploring for the Future,” designed in partnership with ESA and with the participation of CNES, allows you to find out about the major international human and robotic space exploration programmes in which ESA is actively involved with the contribution of CNES and French industry in the sector!
A brand new exhibition of the European Space Agency, ESA, with the participation of the National Centre for Space Studies, CNES, designed by Cité de l’espace.