N° 9–2021: Apply now to become an ESA astronaut

As well as recruiting new members to our astronaut corps, ESA has also issued a vacancy notice for the ‘Parastronaut’ feasibility study to select astronauts living with specific physical disabilities.

This project is a global first to begin removing barriers for people living with physical disabilities to carry out a professional space mission.

"Representing all parts of our society is a concern that we take very seriously,” says David Parker, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration. “Diversity at ESA should not only address the origin, age, background or gender of our astronauts, but also perhaps physical disabilities. To make this dream a reality, alongside the astronaut recruitment, I am launching the Parastronaut Feasibility Project – an innovation whose time has come."

Both vacancies run from 31 March to 28 May 2021 and all applications must be submitted via the ESA Careers website within these eight weeks. Following this deadline, a six-stage selection process will start. Successful candidates are expected to be appointed in October 2022.

Further information on the vacancies as well as the ESA astronaut selection process and astronaut training is available online at esa.int/yourwaytospace

Upcoming events are posted on the launch calendar and events calendar at www.esa.int/newsroom.

Contact

If you have further questions or interview requests, please contact media@esa.int.

Further information

https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/ESA_Astrosel_Handbook.pdf 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply via the ESA Careers website until 28 May 2021: https://jobs.esa.int/

Media kit
https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/MediaKitAstronautSelection.pdf 

Website
https://www.esa.int/YourWayToSpace

Social media

Follow ESA on

Twitter: @ESA
Instagram: Europeanspaceagency
Facebook: EuropeanSpaceAgency
YouTube: ESA
LinkedIn: European-Space-Agency
Official hashtags: #YourWayToSpace #ESArecruits

Images

https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/MediaKitAstronautSelection.pdf#page=27

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images

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/esatv/Videos/2021/03/Astronaut_Selection 

https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/MediaKitAstronautSelection.pdf#page=28  

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. Slovenia and Latvia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with six 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 – Ninja Menning

Email: media@esa.int

Tel: +31 71 565 6409