ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen became the commander of the International Space Station on September 26 (15:43 CET). He is also the sixth European to hold this position. Andreas has spent almost a month in space carrying out scientific experiments and technology demonstrations from across Europe: from learning how he sleeps in orbit, to tracking health and photographing lightning from space.

ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen will take over as the sixth European Commander of the International Space Station on September 26, 2023, and will serve until early 2024. He will be mainly responsible for crew supervision and space station safety. Image source: ESA

While Andreas will continue conducting scientific research throughout the mission, his next big step has now arrived as commander of Expedition 70 on the International Space Station. Andreas will become the longest-serving European commander, holding this role and responsibility for the remainder of the Schukin mission.

ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen became the commander of the International Space Station (ISS) on September 26, 2023. In a traditional ceremony, outgoing commander Sergey Prokopyev handed over the symbolic keys to the space station. Mogensen is the sixth European to serve as commander of the International Space Station. Mogensen will serve as commanding officer for the remainder of the Shulkin's mission, until early 2024. While in command, he will be responsible for overseeing crew activities and ensuring the safety and operation of the space station. Image credit: ESA/NASA

"I am delighted that Andreas can assume the role of Commander of the International Space Station. Andreas is the sixth European astronaut to hold this position, which shows the recognition of the quality of European astronauts by our international partners. I am happy to see Europe taking a leadership role in space and I am happy to see Andreas "I wish him and the Expedition 70 crew a successful and wonderful time on the International Space Station," said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of ESA's Manned and Robotic Exploration Division.

ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen wears an EMU suit. On August 27, 2023, Andreas flew his "Hugo" mission as the pilot of the "Crew Dragon". Image source: NASA

As commander of the space station, Andreas will be responsible for ensuring the safety, health and well-being of the station's crew while directing them as a team. He will also work with flight directors on the ground to oversee all activities and operations on the space station.

During Andreas' command, multiple cargo spacecraft will arrive at the space station, and ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt will also fly to the space station on the Axiom-3 spacecraft. This will be the first time two Scandinavians have been in space together.

The 70th Expedition's badge, designed by ESA graphic designers Hugo Simões and Hugo Dias, has a "yin and yang" theme. "Yin Yang" is a famous philosophical symbol that symbolizes the balance between the two complementary forces of Yin and Yang. In this pattern, the red and orange in the lower half represent science, and the dark blue in the upper half represents space exploration. Image source: ESA

ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen became the commander of the International Space Station (ISS) on September 26, 2023. In a traditional ceremony, the outgoing commander Sergey Prokopyev handed over the keys to the space station. (Mogensen is the sixth European to serve as commander of the International Space Station. Mogensen will serve as commander of the Shukin for the remainder of the mission, until early 2024. During his command, he will be responsible for overseeing the activities of the crew and ensuring the safety and operation of the space station.


On November 8, 2021, SpaceX's "Crew Dragon Endeavor" (Crew Dragon Endeavor) took photos of the International Space Station while flying around the orbiting laboratory after undocking from the space-facing port of the "Harmony" module. Image source: NASA