Jérémy Chapi
I pointed the craft in the direction my daughter indicated to set off after the Global Space Station (GSS).I spotted it in the infinite dark, sunlight gliding across its gigantic solar panels like great unfurled sails.The station appeared as a six-sided central module, each face linked to several sections dedicated to astronaut life support and scientific experiments.A line of modules stretched from this core toward the immense solar arrays—the station's vital power source.It was incredible to see such mass floating in the void, a symbol of human genius defying gravity.
I approached with extreme care to avoid any damage, using the Liberty's compressed-air jets to fine-tune my position.After a few corrections, I stabilized the ship at a safe distance.I prepared for an EVA, still tethered to the strap that linked me to the ship and would serve to moor me to the station.I opened the hatch and drifted once more into the void.I could feel every beat of my heart thudding in my chest as the adrenaline rose.
My push sent the ship drifting slightly backward, but I managed to reach the station's hull and grab on.I seized a handrail—designed for astronauts' exterior movements—and clipped my carabiner to it.After a few tugs to check its solidity, I finally felt safe.
"I'm starting to think this really does feel like a proper space boarding now.""In that case, Father, you'd be the first space pirate," Iris laughed."True—but I'd rather not be seen as a bandit.""About that, you probably don't need to worry. Look to your left."
I turned my head and saw a figure in a spacesuit gliding along the hull with disconcerting ease, like a professional swimmer in a familiar medium.Beside them, I must have looked like a child learning to swim—stiff and clumsy.The astronaut stopped a meter from me and held out a hand.I grasped it gratefully, happy for human contact amid cosmic silence.They passed me a rope with a carabiner, which I clipped to my belt.Once we were linked, they motioned for me to follow.
"Sweetheart, could you look after the ship while I'm away?" I asked, trailing after my guide as best I could."No problem, Father. And make sure to give us some beautiful footage with your camera."
We moved along the station's immense modules.It was hard for me to let go of the handrails, while my guide moved with impressive fluidity.They turned often to check I was following, and I had to speed up so as not to slow them down: time was short.
We finally reached what seemed to be the station's main hatch.It opened slowly before us, and we went into the airlock.While my guide closed the door, I took in the narrow, metallic space—barely larger than a car interior.A tightness gripped my chest.My host twisted her helmet a quarter turn and lifted it off, confirming the air was breathable.She—yes, it was a woman—gestured for me to do the same.
Her brown hair floated in weightlessness, and her green eyes sparkled with curiosity.I hurried to remove my helmet—not without difficulty: bulky gloves and complex latches made the maneuver laborious.After several minutes of effort—and with my host's help—I finally freed my head.At that moment, the inner door opened, revealing two other astronauts.
My host introduced herself, then presented her colleagues in English.A woman with short brown hair stepped forward with a kind smile.
"Hello, I'm Samantha Cristoforetti. I'm delighted to welcome you aboard the Global Space Station," she said calmly, with a slight English-tinged accent.
She indicated a woman with neatly cut blond hair and a gaze full of wisdom.
"This is Peggy Whitson, our commander. She's a true veteran of space—a well of experience."
Samantha then turned to a man whose face was marked by the years, though his eyes radiated sincere warmth.
"And this is Pavel Vinogradov, our expert in space navigation and one of the pillars of our crew."
"Thank you sincerely for welcoming me when I've arrived unannounced," I replied, bowing awkwardly to show respect despite the disorienting weightlessness.
"Unannounced? With everything you've done on Earth, of course we knew. We were watching your live, too," Peggy Whitson answered with a faint, amused smile.
I felt a bit embarrassed realizing that even in space, our adventure was still being followed.
They then invited me to meet the rest of the crew.We passed through several modules, each bristling with machines and instruments bolted to the walls.As we went, one astronaut stopped by what looked like a hydroponic farm.He tossed me a small red ball drifting slowly in the air—a tomato.
"You can eat it—try it," said Pavel Vinogradov, with a pronounced but clear Russian accent.
I bit into it, and my face tightened at once: it had almost no taste.As if expecting my reaction, Peggy chuckled softly and added:
"Welcome to space reality. Our taste buds are on vacation here.The lack of gravity shifts fluids in the body, which dulls our perception of flavor."
Pavel patted my shoulder kindly.
"Don't worry—you get used to it. And there are always spices."
I'd heard of this phenomenon, but I didn't expect it to be so striking.I was truly awestruck by everything I was discovering: this environment, these precise gestures, their cohesion… It was another world.
We continued through the station until we came upon three more astronauts.Samantha introduced them one by one.
First, she indicated a tall, slim man with short black hair and round glasses:
"This is Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka, our biotechnology specialist. He works on innovative projects for growing plants in microgravity."
Then she turned to a woman with curly red hair whose smile lit up the entire module:
"And this is Karen O'Reilly, our chief engineer. If something breaks or needs fixing, she's the one."
Finally, she pointed to a stocky man with a salt-and-pepper beard and a determined look:
"And this gentleman is Alexei Volkov, our pilot and propulsion expert. He has more missions under his belt than any of us."
They traded a conspiratorial glance before Alexei declared, in a deep, warm voice:
"Congratulations on your first trip to space!"
The three astronauts clapped in rhythm, like a small ovation.Embarrassed but touched, I smiled back:
"Thank you for welcoming me among you, and for letting me stop here before the next stage of my journey."
"Carry on—seriously? It's already a miracle you managed to circle the Earth, and now you want to go farther?" exclaimed Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka, clearly astonished.
"Since you're here, we could show you around the station," suggested Pavel Vinogradov, laying a friendly hand on my shoulder.
"He's right. We could show you all the pros and cons of being in space now that you're aboard," added Alexei Volkov, drifting closer and flicking a zero-G water bubble at my face before watching it bounce away and gulping it down with a laugh.
"Thank you for the offer, but my journey has to continue. Everything was rigorously planned with my daughter. If I went back to Earth now, I wouldn't be able to accomplish what I intend," I answered with a smile.
"So where are you headed now? The Moon, maybe?" asked Samantha Cristoforetti.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I replied:
"Not exactly. Though I'd love to go someday, it would be Mars… to mark History."
The crew's expressions shifted: Pavel looked amazed; Samantha and Alexei burst into laughter, while Karen, Hiroshi, and Peggy regarded me dubiously.
"Look, I can believe you want to go to Mars, but right now the best engines on Earth take several months to get there," said Alexei Volkov, incredulous.
"Not with the engines on my ship. In theory, we should reach Mars in under two hours. Our biggest challenge will be finding our way in space—and making it back to Earth afterward."
They all seemed stunned by my words, though in truth my daughter and I hadn't yet confirmed that calculation with certainty.
"Impossible. That would mean you're traveling near the speed of light," Alexei shot back, dumbfounded.
"When I used the thrusters on Earth, I only used 10% of their power. These engines scale exponentially.But the high acceleration during my tests did some damage—probably a cracked rib and severe nausea I'd rather avoid up here," I said, noting several shocked looks at the revelation.
"And you're saying your biggest difficulty is navigation?" asked Pavel Vinogradov.
"Yes, exactly. I won't lie: my daughter and I have no experience in that domain.So we had to design an Ariadne's thread to guide us—for both the outbound journey and the return."
"An Ariadne's thread? What do you mean by that?" asked Samantha Cristoforetti.
"I'm sorry, but I can't go into that. Let's just say the tool could be seen as more than a simple guide for castaways—especially in the wrong hands.Understand that our entire discussion is being broadcast right now, and I can't afford to give details," I replied, noticing several of them look surprised to learn we were being filmed.
"What do you mean, broadcast?" Samantha asked, visibly taken aback.
"You didn't know? We've been on his shoulder-cam since he arrived," Peggy teased, leaving Samantha open-mouthed.
"I've been watching since he reached Japan, personally. I even thought it was staged at first," admitted Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka with a laugh.
"I'm sorry—I probably should have warned you," I said, scratching the back of my head.
Alexei rolled his eyes.
"Let's just say we usually need authorizations to film on the station… but well, the damage is done."
Pavel jumped in, brimming with energy:
"Alright, live stream aside—how soon do you plan to leave the station?"
"In about ten minutes," I replied, checking the watch on my sleeve as we floated.
Peggy frowned.
"Then why did you really stop here? You could have continued straight to Mars."
I smiled, a bit embarrassed.
"Let's say I was a little ahead of schedule. I figured if I had time, I'd swing by. Honestly, I didn't expect you to open the doors. And… it also lets me save my air supply.Though I have to admit, the station's air isn't very pleasant."
"Told you it smells weird in here," Hiroshi said with a suppressed laugh."Then shower more often if you don't like it," Karen retorted, mock-offended.
The two bantered playfully while Samantha, exasperated, put her head in her hands.I couldn't help laughing too before continuing:
"I have to say I'm truly happy to be here and to meet you.It's a childhood dream of mine to find myself on this station and meet people willing to risk their lives to advance human knowledge.I'm sincerely grateful you welcomed me instead of leaving me to float outside," I said, blushing slightly.
Peggy Whitson pulled me into a hug, then joked:
"So… can we adopt him?"
The astronauts burst into laughter, touched by my sincerity.Samantha nodded with an understanding smile:
"We're happy to have you here. The station is an incredible place, and it's always a pleasure to share this experience with someone as passionate as you."
"Yeah—and who knows, maybe this visit will give you new ideas for your trip to Mars," added Karen O'Reilly with a conspiratorial wink.
"I certainly hope so," I replied, feeling a renewed determination—and deep gratitude toward these astronauts who had welcomed me with such warmth.