Astronauts assemble: reserve reunion

The ESA astronaut class of 2022 was selected exactly a year ago. Most members of the astronaut reserve made their first visit as a group to the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany this week.

On November 23, 2022 ESA announced the selection of 17 individuals for the new class of European astronauts. By April 2023, five began basic training as ESA astronaut candidates, while 12 became part of the ESA astronaut reserve.

The astronaut reserve comprises individuals as potential candidates for future missions, qualified for basic training in anticipation of additional spaceflight opportunities.

For one member, Marcus Wandt from Sweden, the dream of space travel is becoming a reality. Initially part of the astronaut reserve, he was designated as an ESA project astronaut for the Muninn mission.

Marcus will travel to the International Space Station on a commercial spaceflight opportunity with Axiom Space no earlier than January 2024. He will serve as a mission specialist for Axiom Mission 3 for up to 14 days, conducting microgravity research and educational activities.

During their visit to EAC, members of the astronaut reserve had their annual medical evaluations to maintain certification for future flight opportunities. It was also a chance to meet fellow classmates, representing over eight different nationalities, and to engage with ongoing ESA activities at the European Astronaut Centre.

“The collaborative effort among nations here to propel Europe and its future astronauts into space is inspiring. Meeting everyone has been both exciting and gratifying. The virtual reality session blew me away, and there is so much more to explore,” says Amelie Schoenenwald, member of the astronaut reserve from Germany.

Carmen Possnig from Austria cherished the sense of teamwork and connection not only with fellow ESA astronaut class members but also with the entire ESA community: “Feeling at home at EAC and the insightful presentations were highlights for me,” says Carmen. 

“From the initial selection stages with Arnaud and Carmen to where we are now, it has been a strong teamwork journey from the start”, adds Anthea Comellini from Italy.

The members of the reserve gained insights into various EAC departments, including the PANGAEA geology course, young researcher’s Spaceship EAC initiative, activities of ESA’s Neutral Buoyancy Facility, human physiology, ESA's XR lab, and an overview of Space Station systems and operations. They also visited the nearby medical research facility :envihab and the Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC) of the German Aerospace Center DLR.

More encounters are planned for the future, fostering meaningful exchanges between potential future European astronauts and those guiding them towards the stars.

From left to right: members of the astronaut reserve Sławosz Uznański, Anthea Comellini, John McFall, Carmen Possnig, Sara García Alonso, Amelie Schoenenwald, Meganne Christian, Andrea Patassa, Aleš Svoboda, and ESA astronaut and astronaut operations team lead at EAC Alexander Gerst.