N° 15–2023: ESA's class of 2022 astronaut candidates start basic training
4 April 2023
ESA welcomed its latest group of astronaut candidates who are beginning their one-year basic training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, to prepare for future space missions.
ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot, Pablo Álvarez Fernández, Rosemary Coogan, Raphaël Liégeois and Marco Sieber took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre on 3 April 2023 to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sophie, Pablo, Rosemary, Raphaël, and Marco to the European Astronaut Centre for their basic training. These five individuals were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, showing the skills and dedication to succeed as ESA astronauts. We look forward to supporting them every step of the way as they embark on this exciting journey of preparing for future space missions”, says Frank De Winne, head of the European Astronaut Centre and ESA’s International Space Station programme Manager.
During the first year of their training, the new astronaut candidates will undergo a basic training programme to learn all about space exploration, including technical and scientific skills, space systems and operations, and special training such as SCUBA diving for spacewalk and survival training.
The new class of astronaut candidates joins the current group of ESA astronauts who are actively involved in space missions and research projects. They represent ESA's commitment to advancing human and robotic exploration of space and will be eligible for assignments to the International Space Station, as well as other upcoming missions to the Moon and beyond after completing their basic training in spring 2024.
The astronaut candidates are excited about starting their journey of becoming ESA astronauts, being part of a team dedicated to space exploration and ready to take on the challenges of future missions.
Save the date
On 3 May 2023 ESA will organise a press conference at the European Astronaut Centre. Journalists will be invited to attend the event and will be provided with photo and interview opportunities afterwards. An invitation, along with a registration link for media, will be published shortly on the ESA Newsroom.
Further information
Images and video footage from ESA Astronaut candidates first day at the European Astronaut Centre can be found via:
Full article: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/ESA_s_astronaut_candidates_start_training
First images: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images
First videos: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos
Astronaut candidate biographies
Sophie Adenot
Pablo Álvarez Fernández
Rosemary Coogan
Raphaël Liégeois
Marco Alain Sieber
Social Media
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Images
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images
ESA's Photo Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/
Terms and conditions for using ESA images:
www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images
For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly spaceinimages@esa.int.
Videos
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos
ESA's Video Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos
Terms and conditions for using ESA videos:
https://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Terms_and_Conditions
For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly spaceinvideos@esa.int.
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia are Associate Members.
ESA has established formal cooperation with four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int
For further information:
ESA Newsroom and Media Relations Office
Email: media@esa.int