Since January 30, Jessica Meir has been in mandatory quarantine awaiting her second space mission - this time as commander.
The mission is led by NASA in collaboration with SpaceX. For eight months, the four astronauts will conduct experiments on the International Space Station (ISS).
A large part of it is about the human body and how it functions in space and in weightlessness, says Kristine Dannenberg, who is responsible for exploration and access to space.
Dannenberg mentions that the information collected on the space station will, among other things, be used for trips to the moon or Mars.
The family remains on earth
But the trip comes with mixed emotions. Unlike the first trip, Jessica Meir has family this time. She mentions in the Space Agency's press release that she hopes her three-year-old daughter can see herself as part of the adventure.
“I can only hope that she understands the value of our efforts and our contribution to science and exploration as she gets older,” she says.
Great inspiration
The fact that Jessica Meir has become a mother in connection with this sends an important message, says Kristine Dannenberg.
She is a role model for all young girls. She shows that you can pursue your dreams and still have a family - that there are no limitations, she says.
Jessica Meir was not only the first Swedish woman in space. In 2019, she and astronaut Christina Koch made the first all-female spacewalk.
During the upcoming trip, they also want to collect material for educational purposes to show young people what it's like on a space station.
It is important to inspire young people and encourage them to choose science and technology, says Kristine Dannenberg.
Jessica Meir lives in the USA. Her mother is from Västerås.
Jessica Meir will be the commander of NASA's SpaceX expedition Crew-12 during the trip. Along for the trip are:
Jack Hathaway (USA) – pilot
Sophie Adenot (France) – specialist
Andrey Fedyaev (Russia) – specialist
The rocket will lift off at the earliest on Friday, February 13 at 11:15 local time in Sweden.
Source: NASA
