Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with interesting discovery news. scientific advances, etc.
For the first time in 13 years, the European Space Agency has announced a new category of astronaut training, including the world’s first “astronaut.”European Space Agency announces first ‘astronaut’.
Europe’s third generation Astronauts consist of 5 professional astronauts, 11 members of the astronaut backup and one physically disabled astronaut. Who will participate in the feasibility program to include astronauts with disabilities in human spaceflight and possible future missions, 17 have been selected from more than 22,500 applicants from across Europe.
“This ESA astronaut class offers ambitions, talents and diversity in many ways to drive our endeavors and our future,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher. said in a press releaseThis means “Continued exploration in low Earth orbit aboard the International Space Station. towards the moon and beyond.”
Five new members, three men and two women, will begin 12 months of basic training at the European Astronaut Center in Cologne. Germany To achieve the standards set by the International Space Station Alliance. said the space agency Candidates include Sophie Adenot, Pablo Álvarez Fernández, Rosemary Coogan, Raphaël Liégeois and John McFall.
This is the first time the space agency has established an astronaut reserve. which consists of candidates who successfully passed the selection process but were not selected Astronauts in the reserve remain with their current employer and will receive advisory contracts.
McFall, a British physician and Paralympic athlete, said he felt compelled to apply when he saw the ESA’s advertisement for astronauts with physical disabilities. His right leg was amputated after a motorcycle accident when he was 19.
“I thought, ‘Wow, this is a really big and interesting opportunity,’” McFall said in a video posted on ESA’s website. that they ask ‘Can we take people with physical disabilities into space?’”
The ESA’s claim for applicants with physical disabilities is open to those who have amputated limbs or are considered short stature – less than 130 centimeters or 4 feet 3 inches.
The space agency is closely involved with NASA’s Artemis mission to return humans to the moon and ESA. Let’s hope the first Europeans to set foot on the moon will be astronauts of this kind.
The space agency on Wednesday also agreed. New budget of 16.9 billion euros ($17.5 billion) over the next three years — 17% increase from 2019.
