Alexander Gerst is a German astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA). He was born on May 3, 1976, in Künzelsau, Germany. Gerst holds a degree in geophysics and a doctorate in Earth sciences. He has participated in multiple space missions, including his first flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014. During his time on the ISS, Gerst conducted various scientific experiments and contributed to international cooperation in space exploration. He served as the commander of the ISS during his second mission in 2018, further enhancing his leadership skills in a challenging environment.