Astronaut selection test to challenge the lunar exploration, the largest number of 4127 applicants

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has announced that the number of applicants for the selection test to select new Japanese astronauts who are expected to head to the moon has reached a record high of more than 4,000.

It seems that the background is that the application requirements have been relaxed, and a full-scale selection test will be held in the future.

The application for the JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's first astronaut selection test in 13 years has been closed on the 4th.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has announced that the number of applicants this time was 4,127, which is more than four times the number of 963 applicants in 2008, which was the highest number so far, and the highest number ever.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology believes that the application requirements have been relaxed from this time, such as making it possible for so-called "humanities" people who are not studying natural sciences at universities to take the exam.

By age group, 811 people were in their 20s or younger, 1850 people were in their 30s, 973 people were in their 40s, 424 people were in their 50s, and 69 people were in their 60s or older.

In addition, there are 919 women, which is more than 22% of the total, which is the highest ratio ever.

In the future, in addition to document screening, four stages of selection such as examinations and interviews will be conducted, and the results will be announced around February next year, and some people will be selected.

This time, the selected aviators are expected to participate in an international lunar exploration program, board a new space station that orbits the moon, and even land on the surface of the moon.

Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Suematsu said, "We are delighted to receive applications from a wide range of generations. We hope that the best ones who will be responsible for future lunar exploration plans will be selected."