Claude Nicollier is still the only Swiss person to have been in space. What was it like to be weightless? And what does he think now about expeditions to the Moon and Mars?
Claude Nicollier, the astronaut from Vevey, is one of Switzerland’s most famous sons. He left the Earth four times between 1992 and 1999 to spend a total of 42 days, 12 hours and five minutes in space. He impressed experts with his calmness while helping repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Nicollier celebrated his 80th birthday on 2 September 2024.
There is another Swiss astronaut: Marco Sieber from Berne (see “Swiss Review” 2/2023). But he has yet to visit space. Nicollier is thus still the only Swiss person to have experienced weightlessness, for example. It’s not usually the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about space travel. Still, as simulations of space missions (see report on page 18) show, prolonged weightlessness cannot be replicated here on Earth.
Claude Nicollier, when and how does weightlessness kick in when going into space?
When the space shuttle reaches orbit and the engine cuts off, you become weightless all of a sudden. Many people don’t feel well during the first few hours, like being seasick. Once your body adjusts, you can enjoy it.
How do you enjoy it?
You can walk wherever you want instead of having to stay on the floor. You can walk on the ceiling or the wall. It’s a wonderful feeling.
And what’s sleeping like?
The space shuttle had sleeping bags, which you could attach to a wall or the ceiling. You can’t just float around while sleeping.
Why not?
You need a certain stability to sleep. Especially for the head. You attach your head to the pillow with a fabric band. It’s the same on Earth: if your head is sticking out over the end of the bed, you won’t sleep.
While repairing the Hubble Space Telescope, you worked with a battery-powered screwdriver. Were you not at risk of suddenly turning yourself instead of the screw?
Yes, that is a risk. That’s why you have to hold onto something with your other hand before using a screwdriver. If you are using both hands, you need to anchor yourself with your feet. As soon as you start expending energy in a state of weightlessness, there is an action and a reaction. You have to practise for that.
How do you do that? You can’t simulate weightlessness.
You have to differentiate. If you move around slowly in a water tank, the sensation is similar to weightlessness. So, that’s a good way to practise working with tools. But it only works for slow movements. You can also use your arms and feet to push off when underwater, and that doesn’t work when you’re weightless.
If you could have your time again, would you still want to be an astronaut?
Most definitely.
And would you fly to the Moon? Or even to Mars?
I would love to fly to the Moon, for sure. It’s not even that far, just a few days; it’s almost a suburb of the Earth. Mars is a different proposition. If I were 30, I probably would go for it – in the knowledge that it would be very draining, both mentally and physically.
Why?
Mars is very far away. The Earth would just be a small blue dot surrounded by blackness. It would take up to 20 minutes for radio signals to reach it. It would be a very isolating experience for a person. That would be extremely challenging psychologically.
What does that mean for the gradual colonisation of Mars?
People who are born to explore could take on a journey like that with all the huge difficulties it entails. That’s why I see the exploration of Mars as feasible. But I don’t see millions of people moving there.
Anna Zimmermann dreams of becoming an astronaut. Or working in a research station in Antarctica. The medical student is fascinated by living in hostile environments.
“My philosophy for life is to remain interested and open and see what opportunities arise.”
Learn more about her in the article “Pushing the limits”
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