French astronaut Thomas Pesquet has shared his extraordinary experiences of space with around 300 young people in Monaco, offering a first-hand account of life aboard the International Space Station…
During a visit to Lycée Albert Ier, Pesquet spent more than an hour taking students through his missions, from the drama of launch and landing to everyday life approximately 400 kilometres above Earth. Pupils from primary, middle and secondary schools attended, whilst others followed the conference live from their classrooms.
Born in 1978, Pesquet is an aerospace engineer, pilot and European Space Agency astronaut who was selected by the European Space Agency in 2009. He completed his first six-month ISS mission in 2016-17 before returning aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2021. During that second mission, he became the first French astronaut to command the International Space Station. Across his two missions, he has spent more than a year in space and completed six spacewalks.
In Monaco, students were selected through several routes, including participation in an introductory aeronautics programme, recommendations from teachers and letters written directly to Pesquet.
During a question-and-answer session, he discussed science, determination and the importance of inspiring young people to understand future technological and environmental challenges.
Pesquet’s visit also included meetings with Prince Albert II and Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, as well as a visit to Venturi following the unveiling of its latest lunar rover in Paris.
The school encounter concluded with a book signing, leaving Monaco’s young audience dreaming about where science might one day take them.
Image: Venturi