Help wanted! ESA recruiting new European astronauts

Press conference London, Thursday 8 May

European astronauts are already working aboard the International Space Station (ISS), starting operations on the Columbus laboratory and benefiting from the new Automated Transport Vehicle (ATV) and the cargo that it carries. ESA is now looking toward further exploration of the solar system and a new generation of explorers is required to make this vision a reality.

To kick off the recruitment campaign in the UK, ESA will hold the following press conference:

Thursday 8 May, from 10:00-12:00
Exploring Space Gallery
Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington
London SW7 2DD

The following will be present:

• Alan Thirkettle, ESA's ISS programme manager
• Frank Danesy, ESA Human Resources, who oversees the ESA Selection Board
• Gerhard Thiele, Space Shuttle astronaut and now head of ESA's European Astronaut Corps
• Ulf Merbold, first ESA astronaut and three-time space flyer
• Several hopeful UK candidates

The Science Museum is home to more than 12 000 objects and provides a fascinating insight into the worlds of science, technology, medicine and industry. Hands-on galleries, drama characters and science shows bring to life the past, present and future of human scientific ingenuity.

Programme

10:00 - Preparing for a new era: 'Help wanted' for the Space Station, the Moon and beyond:

• Alan Thirkettle, ISS Programme Manager, European Space Agency Europe’s human spaceflight programme – today and for the future

   

• Frank Danesy (tbc), Head of ESA/ESOC Human Resources, European Space Agency

The astronaut selection process:

• Gerhard Thiele, astronaut and Head of European Astronaut Corps, European Space Agency Becoming and being an astronaut – One astronaut's experience

10:45 - Q&A
11:00 - One-on-one interview opportunities
12:00 - End of the event

For further information on the recruitment process, see: www.esa.int/astronautselection

Media accreditation

Media representatives wishing to attend are kindly requested to complete the accreditation form below and return it to mediarelations @ world-television.com or per fax to: 020 7387 8444 not later than 12:00 pm on Wednesday 7 May.

Further information

For further information, please contact:

Clare Mattok
ESA Communication Dept
Paris, France
Tel: (+33) 1 53 69 74 12
Email: clare.mattok @ esa.int

Accreditation form

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