Alexander Gerst

Alexander Gerst
NASA/Bill Stafford, Josh Valcarcel and Norah Moran · Public domain · source
Name	Alexander Gerst
Caption	Gerst in 2014
Birth date	1976-05-03
Birth place	Künzelsau, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany
Nationality	German
Occupation	Geophysicist, Astronaut
Alma mater	University of Karlsruhe; University of Hamburg
Known for	ESA astronaut; ISS Expeditions 40/41, 57/58 (Commander)
Awards	Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg; ESA Medals

Alexander Gerst is a German geophysicist and European Space Agency astronaut who has flown two long-duration missions to the International Space Station, including command of an expedition. He is noted for research in volcanology and seismology, contributions to microgravity experiments, and extensive public outreach integrating science, art, and education. Gerst's career bridges field geophysics, piloted spaceflight, and international collaboration between space agencies and scientific institutions.

Early life and education

Gerst was born in Künzelsau, Baden-Württemberg and grew up in southern Germany, attending schools that connected him to regional institutions such as the University of Karlsruhe and the University of Hamburg where he studied geophysics. He completed a diploma at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and earned a doctorate from the University of Hamburg with research performed at the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). During his academic formation he worked with research groups affiliated with the Max Planck Society, the Alfred Wegener Institute, and international partners including the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology.

Military and geophysics career

After university Gerst served as an officer in the German Air Force, training at establishments tied to the Bundeswehr and flying with units that cooperated with NATO and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). His geophysical fieldwork included seismic and volcanic studies in regions such as Iceland, Mount St. Helens, and the East African Rift, collaborating with institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, United States Geological Survey, and the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam. Gerst participated in oceanographic expeditions with the Alfred Wegener Institute and worked on instrumentation and data analysis with partners including the European Geosciences Union and the International Seismological Centre.

European Space Agency selection and training

Gerst was selected as an astronaut by the European Space Agency after a competitive process involving ESA centers, the European Astronaut Center, and coordination with national agencies including DLR and CNES. His astronaut training encompassed facilities and programs at the European Astronaut Centre, Star City in Russia, Johnson Space Center, and the Kennedy Space Center, integrating curriculum from Roscosmos, NASA, and ESA technical teams. Training covered spacecraft systems such as Soyuz operations, the Columbus module, and robotics like Canadarm2, with instruction from instructors affiliated with NASA, Roscosmos, and ESA.

Spaceflights

Gerst flew his first mission to the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 40 and 41 aboard a Soyuz spacecraft, working on science operations involving laboratories such as Columbus, Kibo, and Destiny and collaborating with crewmates from NASA, Roscosmos, and JAXA. His second long-duration flight encompassed Expeditions 57 and 58, during which he served as Commander of the ISS, interacting with mission control centers including ESA's Columbus Control Centre, NASA Mission Control, and Roscosmos Flight Control. These missions involved launches and landings coordinated with Baikonur Cosmodrome, Soyuz vehicles, and support from the European Space Operations Centre and international partners like the Canadian Space Agency.

Scientific research and experiments

On station Gerst conducted experiments in disciplines connected to his background, including seismology, volcanology analog studies, fluid physics, and human physiology, using facilities such as the European Physiology Module, BIORACK, and the Materials Science Laboratory. He contributed to experiments reviewed by scientific bodies such as the European Space Agency Science Programme, the Max Planck Society, and collaborating universities including ETH Zurich and Imperial College London. His research outputs interfaced with datasets from agencies like the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, the Copernicus Programme, and observational networks such as GEOSCOPE and IRIS.

Public outreach and honours

Gerst engaged in outreach initiatives with organizations including UNESCO, the German Research Foundation, ESA Education, and the Baden-Württemberg state government, promoting STEM through media appearances on broadcasters like ARD and ZDF and partnerships with cultural institutions such as the Deutsches Museum. He used photography and Earth observation to work with programs like Copernicus and educational campaigns run by the European Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center. Honors awarded to him include decorations from the state of Baden-Württemberg, recognition from scientific societies such as the German Geophysical Society, and medals from ESA and partner institutions.

Personal life and legacy

Gerst has balanced family life with a public role tied to institutions like the Max Planck Society and DLR, and his legacy connects to ongoing programs in human spaceflight, Earth observation, and international cooperation through ESA, NASA, Roscosmos, and partner universities. He continues to influence initiatives in space science outreach, climate observation projects such as Copernicus, and collaborations with research centers including GFZ, the Alfred Wegener Institute, and the European Southern Observatory. His work is cited by organizations spanning the European Commission, the European Space Agency, and academic networks across Europe and North America.

Category:European Space Agency astronauts Category:German astronauts Category:1976 births Category:Living people