ESA - European Astronauts patch.
June 4, 2020
The European Space Agency should launch a campaign at the end of 2020 to recruit a 4th class after those of 1978, 1992 and 2009.
Example of cosmonaut selection criteria (ROSCOSMOS)
Have you always dreamed of becoming an astronaut? This may be your lucky day: the European Space Agency (ESA) is about to launch a new recruitment procedure. And that does not happen every four mornings: it will be the 4th promotion only after those of 1978, 1992 and 2009. This decision was confirmed during the triennial ministerial conference which took place on November 28, 2019 in Seville and during which the ESA member countries have decided to allocate a record budget of 14.4 billion euros to the agency.
Image above: ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano during a spacewalk with NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy on 9 July 2013.
"The process could be launched at the end of next year," said Frank De Winne, head of the European Astronaut Center in Cologne. "It will start with a communications campaign to let people know that we are looking for candidates." The selection criteria have not yet been defined, but they should not be very different from those presented in this article (read below) ten years ago.
"We haven't defined the size of this promotion yet, but it should be somewhere between two and six," said the former astronaut. It may not seem like much, but ESA is very careful on this point: there is no question of recruiting astronauts that it would not be able to fly. However, Europe does not have a capsule and must therefore rely on agreements with NASA to send its astronauts into space, in exchange for participation in its manned flight program. In this case, ESA provides the service modules for the future American capsule Orion. Two have already been delivered, and the construction of two others has been validated during the ministerial.
How to become an astronaut
Even in space ....
Becoming an astronaut is neither simple nor straightforward; there are no schools for astronauts or university courses. So how do you become an astronaut and what qualifications and qualities do you need?
Space agencies are looking for the best people possible. Training an astronaut is a considerable investment for any agency; training is lengthy and expensive, and the support needed both before and during a space mission is costly.
It takes years to organise a space mission and altogether hundreds of people are involved in preparing the astronauts and the spacecraft. Astronauts are pivotal to the success of a mission but flight opportunities are limited, so space agencies want to be sure that the astronaut selected will make the best possible use of the precious time they will spend in space.
What qualities do you need?
Astronauts need to be able to apply their considerable knowledge and skills to the tasks for which they have been trained; be able to bear tremendous responsibility while in orbit; and be determined to succeed. This is what makes them special.
Astronauts apply knowledge and skills to tasks for which they are trained
A high level of education in scientific or technical disciplines, coupled with an outstanding professional background in research, application or education fields possibly supported by the use of computer systems and applications, is essential. Previous experience with aircraft operations is a bonus, particularly if it involved responsible tasks such as being a test pilot or flight engineer. The more skills and experience an applicant has the better, as this will increase their ability to undertake a variety of tasks.
Equally essential is excellent physical condition. Astronauts have to undergo intensive periods of training and may participate in spaceflights that last for months. During this time their body will be subject to a great deal of stress and good health and physical endurance are essential.
It is a challenge to live in a confined space for long periods with other people. Among the psychological qualities required are the ability to get on well with other members of the crew, and an affinity for teamwork and adaptability, as the space crew must work well together. Would-be astronauts also need self-control and an equable temperament to cope with stress and any emergency that may arise.
Andre Kuipers in the Soyuz simulator at Star City (Russia)
On the operational side, an ability to adapt quickly to changing situations and mature judgement will be of great help in performing tasks and optimising on-orbit routines and procedures.
Lastly, astronauts must be willing to travel long distances, both on Earth and in space, and to spend long periods away from home as astronaut training takes place in a number of countries and they may participate in long-duration missions.
Public relations
Astronauts are often in the spotlight as the public and the media are curious about their life and missions. This means they must enjoy meeting the public and the press, and be able to communicate the importance of their tasks in space.
Astronauts are often in the spotlight
Fluency in English is mandatory and a good knowledge of Russian is an asset as it facilitates training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia. Interest in, and knowledge of, American, Russian and Japanese culture is also useful as it will facilitate good relations with our international partners on the Space Station.
Recruitment
If you believe you have the above qualities and qualifications, and can remain dedicated to your goal of becoming an astronaut, even though it will mean years of hard work, preparation and patience as you wait for an opportunity to finally board a spacecraft, then you could apply to the European Astronaut Corps.
ESA astronauts can only be selected from countries that are ESA Member States.
A selection round was held between May 2008 and May 2009. From the applicants, 8413 qualified for the selection process that was performed under the lead of ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC), based in Cologne, Germany. On 20 May 2009, six new ESA astronauts were presented at a press conference held at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. The third selection of ESA astronauts start their basic training at EAC on 1 September 2009.
The European Space Agency should launch a campaign at the end of 2020 to recruit a 4th promotion after those of 1978, 1992 and 2009. That of 2020 will include between 2 to 6 selected after qualification (if this recruitment is not postponed because of the Covid-19 crisis).
Related links:
ESA Astronauts: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts
The European astronaut corps: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/The_European_astronaut_corps
ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC): https://www.esa.int/About_Us/EAC
European Space Agency (ESA): https://www.esa.int/
Images, Text, Credits: ESA/Corvaja/NASA/Rianovosti/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
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