European Space Agency recruits new astronauts
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, November 17, 2016. RFI
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Who will be the new Thomas Pesquet?
This Tuesday, February 16, the European Space Agency (ESA) officially launched a new recruitment campaign for future astronauts.
A promotion that she hopes will be marked by more diversity.
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The European Space Agency (ESA) had not launched such a maneuver since 2008. And to find the astronauts of tomorrow, it wants to dispel the prejudices around the ideal candidate.
“
The criteria are not drastic.
It's a myth,
assures Guillaume Weertz, head of the space medicine service at ESA.
We are not looking for athletes, we are not looking for supermen.
We are looking for people who are in good medical health and who are qualified for the job
”.
Future candidates must have a recognized scientific degree, but ESA would especially like to feminize its promotion so that some are tempted to imitate the French
Claudie Haigneré
, whose first trip to space took place in 1996. “
The selection of 2008 had 15.6% of female applicants and we all hope to achieve a more balanced diversity
, ”she recalls.
ESA is also considering integrating people with disabilities who could be part of this next generation of astronauts focused on several objectives.
“
The first destination is of course the International Space Station.
Then around the Moon, towards the station called the Gateway, probably commissioned in 2025, so it's not far,
”explains Didier Schmitt, one of the heads of the exploration program at ESA.
But first, candidates will have to report from March 31.
Beginning of a long process.
In the end, they will only be a handful of elected officials in October 2022.
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Also to listen: 2021: a busy year for France in space
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