What do we crave after spending six months without touching Earth?
Small, simple pleasures, according to the first words of French astronaut Thomas Pesquet on the tarmac at Cologne airport (Germany).
It was here that he landed, less than 24 hours after landing on Earth on return from the ISS.
“I thought the guys who came to pick us up from the landing smelled like laundry detergent.
Which probably means that we didn't necessarily feel very, very good in the resort, ”he laughs.
Today, Thomas Pesquet especially wants a good shower, "an experience that will be a bit special", but also a good bed, coffee and breakfast, and then a piece of cheese.
Read also Thomas Pesquet back on Earth: how do you recover after six months in space?
"I am thinking above all of taking a rest and a little vacation", also loose the astronaut, who will have to stay three weeks with the European Space Agency before being able to find his family.
VIDEO.
Thomas Pesquet returns to Earth after six months in space
"It's less hard the second time", "softer", assures Thomas Pesquet, even if he qualifies the atmospheric reentry of the Crew Dragon capsule and its braking as "tough".
"It's easier, it's going a little better, I'm in better shape I think at the same stage four years ago".
It took him a few hours to get used to gravity again: "I feel a little heavy, just lifting a phone I felt like a rubber band pulling down," said the astronaut.
Then he paid tribute to his teammates, who had become a “big family” during these six months spent together in space.
“We are going to meet again very quickly (…) everyone has planned to come to France because I reshuffled their ears with France, cheese etc.
so now everyone is waiting for me around the corner, smiles Thomas Pesquet.
We are united for life now.
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