Europeans are now making regular flights to the International Space Station. By 2020, they may be setting foot on the surface of the Moon. In order to prepare for this exciting era of exploration, the European Space Agency (ESA) is starting a continent-wide search for new astronauts.
Candidates from all 17 ESA Member States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) are welcome to apply. However, thousands of people are likely to respond, and the competition will be tough.
Anyone hoping to progress beyond the first stage will preferably be aged from 27 to 37 and have a background in science or engineering. Applicants must also have a good memory and reasoning ability, an ability to concentrate for long periods, and nimble fingers. An ability to speak excellent English is essential, ideally with a good knowledge of Russian. On a more personal note, they should be highly motivated, adaptable, emotionally stable and good team players.
More details are available on the web at www.esa.int/astronautselection. Registration begins on 19 May and the closing date is 15 June 2008. The final selection will be announced in 2009. The chosen few will then join the ESA Astronaut Corps and begin basic training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.
If you’d like to have applied but are too young, don’t worry. Just keep working at your studies and, who knows, when the next astronaut selection comes round, you may be one of the lucky ones who gets a trip to the Moon or Mars.
