A recruitment campaign, organized by the European Space Agency, began on Wednesday.

The scientific profiles of engineers, researchers, doctors or even pilots are sought for missions in the international space station, in orbit around the Moon, then on the Moon.

In 2009, it was via a similar call that Thomas Pesquet was recruited.

Notice to those who have always dreamed of becoming an astronaut!

A recruitment campaign, organized by the European Space Agency, began on Wednesday.

It is also by responding to such a call that Thomas Pesquet was recruited in 2009.

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Intellectual tests, then personality tests

To be convincing, you have to have a scientific profile.

Applicants must have a master's degree in a scientific field or a medical degree, and three years of professional experience.

The profiles of engineers, researchers and pilots are also sought.

This time around, the age limit has been extended from 40 to 50.

You must also speak English perfectly, master another foreign language and, during the training, you will have to learn Russian.

The tests will first be intellectual, then there will be personality tests to assess the ability to manage stress and work in a team.

Applications are now OPEN for @ esa's #AstronautSelection!



Info https://t.co/ZVA0ahzoJN


Apply https://t.co/s4Whl0uM89



Applications close on 28 May 2021. Good luck on # YourWayToSpace # ESArecruitspic.twitter.com / yfgorHRsn4

- ESA (@esa) March 31, 2021

"Have confidence in yourself, go ahead, you have nothing to lose"

12 years ago, during the previous selection, six people were recruited from 8,000 candidates.

Including Thomas Pesquet, who today gives advice to those who would hesitate to apply: "Have confidence in yourself, go ahead, you have nothing to lose".

"At the time, it was a friend who had read the announcement of the selection of astronauts in the newspaper and told me about it. He had thought of me because at the time I was a pilot. , and previously an engineer, so I corresponded to the profile sought by the European Space Agency. But if I was selected, it is mainly because I tried my luck ", he encourages.

"We are not looking for superheroes," explains the European space agency.

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The program which awaits the lucky ones is loaded: there will be missions in the international space station, missions in orbit around the Moon, then on the Moon since it is planned to return there in the years to come.

The European space agency is also opening the door to people with physical disabilities.

She will conduct a study and see if people with disabilities could, in some cases, become astronauts and fly in space.