French astronaut Thomas Pesquet during his second
spacewalk
on March 24, 2017. -
Handout / NASA / AFP
From March 31, ESA, the European space agency, will launch a recruitment campaign for astronauts, through its 22 member countries and two associates.
A first in twelve years.
And the opportunity will not present itself any time soon.
ESA plans to recruit at least four astronauts, perhaps six it will have to choose from the thousands of applications it is expected to receive.
The profiles sought?
Scientists or even test pilots.
The selection will be tough, training too.
But this new generation of astronauts will certainly have more opportunities to go to space than the previous one.
And may even hope to set foot on the Moon again.
“You will need to be flexible,” recalls Zineb Elormi, human resources representative at the European Space Agency (ESA).
The working hours are irregular, you will have to plan many trips, long absences from home… ”You will also need to have a strong heart and this essential ability to remain calm under pressure.
Because what ESA is currently offering you is simply to join their team of active astronauts.
In short: to be the future colleague of Frenchman Thomas Pesquet.
There are currently seven of them making up this "pool" of astronauts.
ESA is looking to add at least four more, possibly six, and is launching a recruitment drive for this in all 22 ESA member countries and the other two associates.
A first since 2008
The first for over twelve years.
So on your CVs, the opportunity will not present itself any time soon.
Applications are to be submitted from March 31 until May 28 on a website specially created by ESA.
"It must be a europass CV and it must be accompanied by a cover letter, answer an online questionnaire and finally provide a specific medical certificate, the details of which will be specified on the site", explains Zineb Elormi.
We know a little more about the profiles sought.
“Above all, they must have a master's degree in scientific fields such as natural sciences, medicine, engineering, mathematics or computer sciences,” Zineb Elormi continues.
Having a doctorate in these fields is an added advantage, but it is not essential for applying.
We also accept applications from experimental test pilots or master's level test engineers.
You also need an excellent level of English as well as a good level in a second modern language.
Not necessarily Russian as we often believe.
The language is taught during astronaut training.
»Three years of experience after graduation are also required.
Thomas Pesquet's advice: "Don't censor yourself"
Do you think you match?
“Do not self-censor,” insists Thomas Pesquet in a video addressed to those who hesitate to apply.
But keep in mind that in 2008, for its last recruitment campaign, the ESA had received 8,000 applications to, in the end, recruit six astronauts, including Thomas Pesquet.
She does not expect to receive less this year.
And the submission of his CV is only the first step of a long selection of which 20 Minutes has already described the main steps to you on Monday.
A Stations of the Cross but with a dream job for those who manage to go to the end.
"We are not recruiting vase astronauts," slips Dr. Guillaume Weerts, head of medical teams & astronaut support at ESA.
So to say that these four or six recruited astronauts will have the opportunities to travel in space.
““ Most of the seven astronauts who today constitute the active corps of Esa - which correspond to the six hired in 2008 plus a last recruited subsequently - have gone into space twice, continues Guillaume Weerts.
This will soon be the case for Thomas Pesquet.
It's new enough to be highlighted.
On average, astronauts have completed two long-term space missions in their careers so far.
Since we recruited them relatively young in 2008, some will certainly make three.
"
More opportunities to fly for the next generation?
The next generation of astronauts will certainly have more opportunities to fly.
The only destination to date for astronauts is the International Space Station (ISS) nestled 400 km from Earth.
"ESA has negotiated the possibility of a long-term mission [six months] every eighteen months on board the ISS," indicates Didier Schmidt, head of the "strategy and coordination" group in the human exploration program and robotics of the Esa.
We can assure that this future generation of astronauts that we are going to recruit will have the opportunity to go there.
"
A second destination will soon be added to the ISS: Gateway, the future space station near the Moon.
“It should be put into service in 2025, very quickly therefore, and we will certainly have opportunities to send our astronauts there on a mission,” continues Didier Schmidt.
But the first flights to Gateway will most certainly be reserved for the already active body of our astronauts.
Quite simply because such a trip [Gateway will be 400,000 km from Earth] will require some experience, one or two missions on board the ISS.
"
The generation that will go to the moon?
It will take several years for this new generation of astronauts to hang such lines on their CVs.
“The training lasts about two years before an astronaut is qualified for a space flight,” recalls Guillaume Weerts.
Some have the opportunity to leave almost immediately, but on average, it takes four years between their selection and their first flight.
"
This is another quality that Zineb Elormi could have added to the list of those asked of candidates: patience.
But the game is worth the candle if we look at the space projects that are being developed in the years to come by the various space agencies.
Starting with the Artemis III mission, which works on man's return to the Moon, a step presented as an intermediary for preparing the first manned missions to Mars.
“This year we will start talks with NASA to have a seat reserved for one of our astronauts on board this mission.
The take-off is announced for 2024. But it would be more likely 2026 or even 2028.
Pile of hair then for the new generation of ESA astronauts?
Thomas Pesquet has already made it known that he will also fight for this seat.
The Frenchman remains in good spirits: "Go apply and go to training," he concludes his message to future candidates.
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