ESA Seeks New Astronauts

The European Space Agency says it is time to seek new talent to bolster its astronaut corps for future 21st century space missions.

The ESA entered the annals of human spaceflight in 1978 with its first astronaut selection. Preparations for the ESA’s Columbus laboratory project involved a second selection of astronauts in 1992.

The new astronaut selection process will start May 19 and will involve a screening process; two stages of psychological and professional aptitude evaluation, including behavioral and cognitive skills; a medical evaluation and a formal interview.

The appointments will be announced next year, the agency said. The selected candidates will then join the European Astronaut Corps and begin basic training in Cologne, Germany.

The ESA said candidates from all 17 European Union states — Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom — are welcome to apply.