Andrew Yee[_1_]
April 17th 08, 08:00 PM
European Space Agency
Press Release No. 21-2008
Paris, France 10 April 2008
ESA to recruit new European astronauts
With ESA astronauts working in the Columbus laboratory onboard the
International Space Station (ISS) and the first of ESA's new ATV cargo ships
having delivered fresh supplies to the station, ESA's human spaceflight
activities have entered a new era. It is now time for ESA to seek out new
talent to bolster its Astronaut Corps for future manned missions to the ISS,
the Moon and beyond.
The European Space Agency entered the annals of human spaceflight for the
first time in 1978 with its first astronaut selection, followed in 1983 by
the first Spacelab mission. Preparations for ESA's Columbus laboratory
project, meanwhile, involved a second selection of astronauts in 1992.
The overall selection process will start on Monday 19 May and follow a by
now well-established procedure:
1. Screening: the first step in the formal application will be online at
www.esa.int/astronautselection . Applicants will have to provide the same
medical examination certificate as private pilots, the examination for which
must be conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner certified by his/her
national aviation medical authority.
2. Two stages of psychological and professional aptitude evaluation,
including behavioural and cognitive skills tests.
3. Medical evaluation: this process includes clinical examination by
aero-medical physicians and clinical specialists, laboratory screening
tests, and special procedures.
4. Formal interview: as potential ESA staff members, the astronaut
candidates will go before an ESA selection board for further professional
assessment.
5. The final appointments will be officially announced in 2009.
The selected candidates will then join the European Astronaut Corps and
begin basic training at the European Astronaut Centre (ESA-EAC) in Cologne,
Germany.
"We want to find high-calibre men and women in Europe to prepare to meet the
challenges of ISS exploitation and human exploration of our solar system in
the 21st century. As of May 2008, ESA will be searching in each of its 17
Member States for the best candidates to make this vision a reality," says
Michel Tognini, former astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Centre.
ISS and beyond
ESA is readying its teams to take part in the human spaceflight missions of
the 21st century. The solar system is the next objective for human
exploration, and the world's great industrial powers are taking steps to
prepare for this vast undertaking. Possessing an operational astronaut corps
is an essential strategic asset if Europe is to take part in this endeavour.
"Europe has long been involved in exploration, even before the days of
Christopher Columbus," said Daniel Sacotte, ESA's Director of Human
Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration. "After exploring the Earth, space
is the logical next step -- and a new generation of explorers are needed to
follow their illustrious predecessor Columbus and embark for those new
worlds. I am therefore very pleased that at the beginning of 2009, we will
be welcoming a new intake of men and women to the European Astronaut Corps
to undertake missions to the ISS and beyond."
ESA needs to regenerate the European Astronaut Corps, increasing its size in
order to successfully accomplish its present and future programmes. The
Agency has therefore decided to initiate this process of selecting new
astronauts. Candidates from all 17 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.
Background in science and operations
"The ideal European astronaut candidate should be competent in relevant
scientific disciplines, including but not restricted to life sciences,
physics, chemistry and medicine and/or be an engineer or pilot, and should
have demonstrated outstanding abilities in research, applications or the
educational field, preferably including operational skills. In addition,
characteristics expected of all applicants include a good memory and
reasoning ability, concentration, aptitude for spatial orientation, and
manual dexterity," explained Gerhard Thiele, former astronaut and Head of
the European Astronaut Division. Applicants should be fluent in English
(Russian is also an asset) and should exhibit personality traits such as
high motivation, flexibility, team competence, empathy with others and
emotional stability.
Europe-wide information campaign
This major recruitment campaign will kick off with information conferences
held in ESA Member States, in which ESA astronauts will be involved. Media
organisations will be kept informed and will have the opportunity to attend
these events.
For further information:
European Astronaut Centre (EAC)
Linda Villette
Email: Linda.Villette @ esa.int
tel: +49 22 03 6001 113
Fax: +49 22 03 6001 112
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPQG3XQEF_index_1.html ]
Press Release No. 21-2008
Paris, France 10 April 2008
ESA to recruit new European astronauts
With ESA astronauts working in the Columbus laboratory onboard the
International Space Station (ISS) and the first of ESA's new ATV cargo ships
having delivered fresh supplies to the station, ESA's human spaceflight
activities have entered a new era. It is now time for ESA to seek out new
talent to bolster its Astronaut Corps for future manned missions to the ISS,
the Moon and beyond.
The European Space Agency entered the annals of human spaceflight for the
first time in 1978 with its first astronaut selection, followed in 1983 by
the first Spacelab mission. Preparations for ESA's Columbus laboratory
project, meanwhile, involved a second selection of astronauts in 1992.
The overall selection process will start on Monday 19 May and follow a by
now well-established procedure:
1. Screening: the first step in the formal application will be online at
www.esa.int/astronautselection . Applicants will have to provide the same
medical examination certificate as private pilots, the examination for which
must be conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner certified by his/her
national aviation medical authority.
2. Two stages of psychological and professional aptitude evaluation,
including behavioural and cognitive skills tests.
3. Medical evaluation: this process includes clinical examination by
aero-medical physicians and clinical specialists, laboratory screening
tests, and special procedures.
4. Formal interview: as potential ESA staff members, the astronaut
candidates will go before an ESA selection board for further professional
assessment.
5. The final appointments will be officially announced in 2009.
The selected candidates will then join the European Astronaut Corps and
begin basic training at the European Astronaut Centre (ESA-EAC) in Cologne,
Germany.
"We want to find high-calibre men and women in Europe to prepare to meet the
challenges of ISS exploitation and human exploration of our solar system in
the 21st century. As of May 2008, ESA will be searching in each of its 17
Member States for the best candidates to make this vision a reality," says
Michel Tognini, former astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Centre.
ISS and beyond
ESA is readying its teams to take part in the human spaceflight missions of
the 21st century. The solar system is the next objective for human
exploration, and the world's great industrial powers are taking steps to
prepare for this vast undertaking. Possessing an operational astronaut corps
is an essential strategic asset if Europe is to take part in this endeavour.
"Europe has long been involved in exploration, even before the days of
Christopher Columbus," said Daniel Sacotte, ESA's Director of Human
Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration. "After exploring the Earth, space
is the logical next step -- and a new generation of explorers are needed to
follow their illustrious predecessor Columbus and embark for those new
worlds. I am therefore very pleased that at the beginning of 2009, we will
be welcoming a new intake of men and women to the European Astronaut Corps
to undertake missions to the ISS and beyond."
ESA needs to regenerate the European Astronaut Corps, increasing its size in
order to successfully accomplish its present and future programmes. The
Agency has therefore decided to initiate this process of selecting new
astronauts. Candidates from all 17 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.
Background in science and operations
"The ideal European astronaut candidate should be competent in relevant
scientific disciplines, including but not restricted to life sciences,
physics, chemistry and medicine and/or be an engineer or pilot, and should
have demonstrated outstanding abilities in research, applications or the
educational field, preferably including operational skills. In addition,
characteristics expected of all applicants include a good memory and
reasoning ability, concentration, aptitude for spatial orientation, and
manual dexterity," explained Gerhard Thiele, former astronaut and Head of
the European Astronaut Division. Applicants should be fluent in English
(Russian is also an asset) and should exhibit personality traits such as
high motivation, flexibility, team competence, empathy with others and
emotional stability.
Europe-wide information campaign
This major recruitment campaign will kick off with information conferences
held in ESA Member States, in which ESA astronauts will be involved. Media
organisations will be kept informed and will have the opportunity to attend
these events.
For further information:
European Astronaut Centre (EAC)
Linda Villette
Email: Linda.Villette @ esa.int
tel: +49 22 03 6001 113
Fax: +49 22 03 6001 112
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPQG3XQEF_index_1.html ]