European Space Agency announces 17 fresh astronaut prospects, including seven British candidates
European Space Agency Announces New Class of Astronaut Candidates
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced its new class of astronaut candidates, selecting 17 potential spacefarers from a pool of over 22,500 applicants across Europe. The announcement was made at the conclusion of the ESA CM22 Ministerial meeting in Paris on 23 November, 2022.
The expansion of ESA's operations will focus on science research, Earth observation, telecoms, human and robotic exploration, and space transportation. As part of this expansion, the agency has plans to develop the reusable Space Rider robotic space transport craft and contribute the service modules for the Orion lunar spacecraft.
In the realm of human exploration, ESA aims to put European boots on the Moon by 2030 as part of the NASA-led Project Artemis. This ambitious project includes the development of the Lunar Gateway deep-space station, Argonaut lunar logistic landers, and the future Moonlight data and GPS lunar satellite constellation.
One of the key figures in this mission is British astronaut Tim Peake, who is awaiting a 2024 mission to Low Earth orbit on the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS operations will continue until at least 2030, and the new UK astronauts will have the chance to go into space in the next decade.
ESA is also making strides in inclusivity, with 50% of the new astronaut candidates being women. The 2022 class includes 3 astronauts from the UK and 1 astronaut with a disability. British Paralympian John McFall was chosen as a para-astronaut and will carry out a joint ESA/NASA study on what needs to be changed so people with physical disabilities can fly safely to space.
Moreover, the agency has selected Rosemary Coogan, a professional astrophysicist who was born in Northern Ireland, to join the ESA astronaut corps as a career astronaut. British-born scientist Meganne Christian was appointed as an ESA reserve astronaut.
In addition to human exploration, ESA is investing in green technologies. A new green hydrogen-fuelling system for the Ariane launchers will be developed. The Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover mission also received further backing, with an ESA-led landing system set to be sent to Mars on a US launcher for a 2028 departure.
Libby Jackson, Director of Human and Robotics Exploration at the UK Space Agency, stated that it was "A good day for the UK and for space - all astronauts were chosen on their skills and merit." The future of space exploration in Europe looks promising, with a possible orbital crewed spacecraft called SUSIE potentially being developed.
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