Join the new era of exploration as an ESA astronaut

Purposes open 31 March 2021 and ESA’s Astronaut Selection webpage offers all the things you must know to arrange a powerful software and apply. This web site is the hub for all ESA astronaut choice content material and will likely be up to date all through the marketing campaign.

The chance to develop into an ESA astronaut is uncommon and extremely aggressive. ESA final sought candidates for astronaut positions in 2008 and has held solely three recruitment rounds, together with its first in 1978.

This time there’s a new alternative for astronaut hopefuls due to the introduction of a parastronaut feasibility project.

Full particulars of the necessities for the astronaut choice and parastronaut feasibility challenge will likely be launched when functions open. The appliance interval will run till 28 Might 2021 and the result is anticipated to be introduced in October 2022.   

The brand new face of area

Along with the profession astronauts, who will likely be skilled for long-duration or advanced area missions and employed as everlasting ESA employees members, ESA’s parastronaut feasibility challenge is a world first that goals to start eradicating limitations for folks with disabilities to hold out an expert area mission.

Particular person(s) who’re psychologically, cognitively, technically and professionally certified to develop into astronauts, however who’ve a bodily incapacity that may usually stop them from being chosen because of the restrictions of present area are inspired to use.

ESA is already working with its worldwide companions and industrial spaceflight suppliers to create a extra accessible setting, and decide the feasibility of an astronaut with particular bodily disabilities flying a secure and helpful mission to the Worldwide House Station as we sit up for the Moon and Mars.

Are you prepared?

ESA is in search of candidates from a big number of profiles and backgrounds, however for the most effective likelihood of success, astronaut hopefuls are urged to familiarise themselves with the minimal necessities.

These embrace being a citizen of an ESA member state or associate state, holding the minimal of a Grasp’s diploma in pure sciences, medication, engineering, arithmetic, or laptop sciences or holding a level as an experimental take a look at pilot and/or take a look at engineer from an official experimental take a look at pilot faculty. Candidates should have a minimum of three years of related skilled expertise after commencement and be fluent in English. Good data of one other overseas language and some other extra language is a plus.

Candidates don’t want to carry a pilot’s license however they have to submit a category 2 medical certificates issued by an aviation health worker that exhibits they’re medically certified for a non-public pilot licence (PPL). 

Driving a rocket to work

ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti was chosen in ESA’s 2008-09 astronaut choice and describes turning into an astronaut as “a dream come true”.

“It brings collectively a lot of my passions: science and know-how, advanced machines, demanding operational environments, worldwide groups, bodily health, public outreach. And naturally, sometimes you get to trip a rocket to work!”

There are various other exciting careers within the area sector past astronauts. ESA is continually looking out for consultants in engineering, science, IT and enterprise providers to affix its groups. Uncover methods to join ESA, wherever you might be in your profession path by visiting the ESA careers web site.

Are you able to make your way to space?