Kuipers remembers the quarantines in Kazakhstan that a lot of exercise kept him fresh. “It was especially nice there in the summer, when you can run along the river. Furthermore, you are mainly quarantined there to ensure that you go up as healthy as possible and you come out of a quite hectic period full of training and exams. So it was quite relaxed there. “
Inside, certainty helped him through the period, such as the three meals a day and the many traditions associated with space missions. For example, Kuipers can still remember the shashlik parties, the traditional planting of a tree and the hairdresser’s visit shortly before the launch.
Quarreling crews
Unlike families who now have to quarantine head over heels, Kuipers was well prepared for an isolated existence. In addition, space crews are composed in such a way that they can be together in a room for as long as possible.
For example, in the run-up to a mission, exercises were extensively examined to see whether characters fit together, says Kuipers. “You don’t want two captains on one ship. At the same time you get to know each other and each other’s cultures.”
Even then, there is no guarantee for a smooth quarantine. “In my case it went very well, but there are also crews who argued and stopped talking to each other,” he says. What, in any case, helps to last as long as possible? Kuipers: “Sleep well, keep exercising and do things for each other. Take over each other’s tasks and don’t shift everything to one person.”
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