Registrations are open from March 31 to May 28. Among the requirements to work in space, on the Moon or perhaps Mars, a scientific degree, three years of experience, and “cold blood”. For the first time there is talk of “parastronauts”, those with physical disabilities can aspire to a place among the stars. Among the thousands of nominations, there will be four to six winners
The European Space Agency chooses a new class of astronauts with a new call, 12 years after the last. This is the generation of pioneers who will face challenges that are likely to be challenges never attempted. The Moon, with the prospect of inhabiting the first human settlement in orbit and on the surface of another celestial body. And then, who knows, maybe even Mars. ESA presented the new selection with an online press conference, in several languages, given that the call is intended for citizens of 25 countries. Eventually four to six astronauts will be chosen.
The campaign will officially open on March 31st and until May 28th there will be the possibility to submit the application on the ESA website. The selection phase will last 18 months, so only October 2022 will we know the next European astronauts. Including the parastronauts, because this time the competition is also open to disabled people.
Scientific education and cold blood
The requirements, indicated in the section of the site, are to have the citizenship of one of the ESA member states (there are 22) or an associate member (Canada, Latvia, Slovenia). From the point of view of education, a Master’s Degree (or higher) in Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth, Atmosphere or Ocean Sciences), Medicine, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science is required. Alternatively, an experimental test pilot certificate. And three years of work after the master’s degree. It is essential to speak English fluently, knowing another language is a plus.
Furthermore, the ESA places great emphasis on motivation. You have to be willing to travel for long periods, stay away from family and friends for months (and not only while flying in orbit, indeed, “the work of an astronaut – as Parmitano himself said – only gives 5 to 10 percent plays in space “). Being able to stay calm under pressure, as a psychological profile. Among the activities of the astronauts there is physical monitoring to conduct studies, for example, on the effects of microgravity on health, therefore the willingness to participate in experiments in bioscience is required. Finally, the medical certificate attesting the eligibility to obtain the private pilot license (but the patent is not required). The desire, in the European Space Agency, is to involve many more women than the last “brood”. According to Ersilia Vaudo-Scarpetta, ESA’s Chief Diversity Officer, “in 2008 there were just 16 per cent of female candidates”, out of 8413 applications.
I parastronauti
For the first time in history, a space agency is opening up to selection also aspiring astronauts with physical disabilities. The psychological and educational requirements are the same. But those who have “deficiencies” in one or both lower limbs, a pronounced difference in length between the two limbs or a stature of less than 130 centimeters will also be able to access. It is somehow a revolutionary vision of the role of space, seen as an opportunity for inclusion: “It is the will to make a
first step – said the Italian ESA astronaut, Luca Parmitano – ESA does not have the expertise to do everything by itself, and there is no basis from which to start, we consulted with the International Paralympic Committee to understand in what way an astronaut with suitable basic training could contribute to space exploration, despite physical disabilities ”. The selected parastronauts will be included in the “reserves” basin and will work together with ESA engineers to develop systems and protocols that will one day allow even astronauts with disabilities to live and work in space.
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