Last week it was announced for the first time in more than 11 years a new selection procedure is about to start. ESA today provided more information in five online press conferences in different languages. In addition to the four to six ‘career astronauts’ who are sure to go into space, the space agency is setting up a reserve pool of 20 astronauts who can be called up for shorter flights, for example in collaboration with commercial partners.
Main requirements
The main requirements for candidates are that they have a master’s degree and at least three years of experience in fields such as natural sciences, medicine, engineering, mathematics or computer sciences.
The intention is that the career astronauts will at least make a flight to the International Space Station after their training. The ISS is likely to remain operational until 2030. In addition, ESA will also provide three astronauts for flights to the Gateway, the yet to be built small international space station that will orbit the moon.
Traditionally, the countries that contribute most to the ESA budget, such as Germany, France and Italy, provide more astronauts. But the organization emphasizes that during the selection only the qualities of the candidates are considered, not nationality. Only at the very end is it decided who will be part of the small group of career astronauts.
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