The Saarland astronaut Matthias Maurer (50) is looking forward to eating in space – including something from home. “That is the only change, the only bit of luxury, to be able to enjoy something, to have something delicious,” said Maurer of the German press agency. Therefore, for astronauts, “eating in space is much, much more important than on the ground”.

Personal souvenirs for them ISS Mostly it is more about “functional food”. It is a highlight that he takes a specially prepared menu with him on his mission, which the Saarlanders have selected for him in an online vote: venison ragout with bacon cream savory and a Saarland potato and Riesling cream soup beforehand.

When Maurer Ende 2021 sets off for the International Space Station, he will also have personal items in his luggage. “Of course I’ll take photos of family and friends with me, that’s very important to me,” he said on the sidelines of his training session in Houston.

He also packs a red chalk stone: a red stone from his home country Gronig in the municipality of Oberthal. This stone was previously used for painting and drawing – and the people of Oberthal used it to travel to the Mediterranean as “Rötelkrämer” to do business. “It is a nice thought to take such a red chalk stone with you into space,” said the astronaut.

For him, the stone stands for the “exchange.” with other countries and cultures “, the” knowledge exchange guaranteed “. “And that’s exactly what we’re doing today: We’re flying to the ISS as part of an international team, and the Rötelstein should be a sign of what you can achieve when you tackle something big together,” said Maurer.

He will be the twelfth German in space. For six months, the astronaut of the European Space Agency ESA will live on the outpost of humanity around 400 kilometers above the earth.

(mho)