Accumulating a total of 362 days in orbit, Alexander Gerst became the most experienced astronaut in the history of the European Space Agency by the end of 2018. His career bridges the gap between terrestrial geophysical research and the complex demands of orbital life, following a path from volcanic fieldwork to commanding the International Space Station.
Geophysical Roots
Born in Künzelsau, Germany, in 1976, Gerst developed an early interest in the mechanics of the natural world. He pursued studies at the University of Karlsruhe, graduating with distinction in geophysics. His academic focus expanded during his time at Victoria University of Wellington, where he spent two years researching earth sciences. His work on volcano monitoring techniques aimed to refine eruption forecasting, with his findings appearing in Science Magazine. He later earned a doctorate from the University of Hamburg in 2010, focusing his dissertation on the eruption dynamics of Mount Erebus in Antarctica.
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The European Space Agency selected Gerst for astronaut training in 2009. His first mission to the International Space Station, designated Blue Dot, spanned from May to November 2014. During this period, he performed his first extravehicular activity alongside Reid Wiseman. The 6-hour and 13-minute operation involved relocating a failed cooling pump and installing a new relay system for the mobile transporter. He returned to Earth via the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft.
Commanding Horizons
Gerst returned to the ISS in 2018 for his second mission, titled Horizons. Launching on 6 June 2018, he assumed command of the station during Expedition 57, making him the second ESA astronaut to lead the facility and, at age 42, its youngest commander to date. His tenure included the testing of an onboard robot assistant named CIMON. During a performance by the group Kraftwerk in Stuttgart, Gerst joined the band via a live link to play a synthesizer part for the song Spacelab.
Legacy and Outreach
Beyond his operational roles, Gerst maintains an active interest in scientific communication. He is a licensed radio amateur and has facilitated ARISS educational contacts from space. His professional background also influenced popular culture, serving as the basis for the character Alex Vogel in the 2015 film The Martian. Since his flights, he has continued his involvement in research training, participating in geological preparation courses like PANGAEA and the CAVES expedition in 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 1976, Künzelsau
- Total days in space: 362
- Selected as astronaut: 2009
- First mission: Blue Dot (2014)
- Second mission: Horizons (2018)
- Academic background: Geophysics and Volcanology
- Employer: European Space Agency
- Radio call sign: KF5ONO
Questions readers ask
What record did Alexander Gerst set in 2018?
He became the ESA astronaut with the most cumulative time in space, reaching 362 days.
What did Gerst study before becoming an astronaut?
He was a geophysicist who specialized in volcanic eruption dynamics, completing a doctorate at the University of Hamburg.
Achievements
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 2015
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 2019
- Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia — 2019
- Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg — 2015
- Affiliated with European Space Agency
- Educated at Victoria University of Wellington, University of Hamburg and University of Karlsruhe
- Worked as astronaut, geophysicist and volcanologist
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