On July 20th, 2019, exactly on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, the European Space Agency's space mission "Beyond" was launched. With an ambitious goal: "Beyond" is intended to advance the further exploration of space, with the Moon and Mars firmly in view. The Italian Luca Parmitano is leading the mission as Commander of the International Space Station (ISS). But who is this astronaut, who are these men and women who spend months in space and totally dedicate themselves to the progress of mankind? Who leave family and friends behind? Who expose themselves to microgravity and renounce on almost every comfort? Nationality, language and gender seem to play no role on the ISS. To what extent does the shared view of the distant Earth, the so called „overview effect“, unite the astronauts? Do they return changed by the experience of space? What insights can we draw from this? We talk to ESA astronauts Luca Parmitano and Alexander Gerst and also give a voice to the men and women who accompany them before, during and after their mission.
