Astronaut basic training: centrifuge

ESA astronaut candidate Raphaël Liégeois during centrifuge training. 

Human centrifuges simulate the gravitational forces, known as g-forces, experienced by astronauts during launch and return to Earth. The g-forces in this centrifuge were directed from the chest to the back, reaching acceleration levels up to 6G (equivalent to 4.5 times Earth's gravity). The astronaut candidates reclined on their backs, reflecting the position astronauts assume in their launch vehicles. Equipped with biomonitoring devices, they communicated with medical staff during the spin, describing the effects felt on their bodies.

ESA’s newest class of astronauts, including Sophie Adenot, Rosemary Coogan, Pablo Álvarez Fernández, Raphaël Liégeois and Marco Sieber commenced basic astronaut training in April 2023. The group was selected in November 2022. 

The one-year basic training provides an overall familiarisation and training in various areas, such as spacecraft systems, spacewalking, flight engineering, robotics and life support systems, as well as survival and medical training before they receive astronaut certification in April 2024.