The European Space Agency has launched a lively campaign to recruit talented new astronauts for future missions to the International Space Station, the Moon and possibly beyond.
ESA hopes to inject some young blood into its astronaut corps. Currently Europe has only eight astronauts, with an average age of 50. The agency wants to recruit four more, ideally aged 27 to 37.
鈥淚f we have a Moon programme and if Europe commits to participating in that, I anticipate that one of those who we are selecting now will walk on the Moon,鈥� says Gerhard Thiele, head of ESA鈥檚 astronaut corps.
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On Thursday, ESA held a press conference at London鈥檚 Science Museum to kick off the recruitment campaign in the UK. Alan Thirkettle, ESA鈥檚 programme manager for the space station, said the 鈥渋nspirational鈥� astronaut programme aims to drive technological development and economic competitiveness across the continent.
鈥業cons for inspiration鈥�
鈥淲e want the youth of Europe to be interested in science, mathematics and engineering, and go into these careers whether it鈥檚 in space or not,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he astronauts are a focal point 鈥� they鈥檙e icons for that inspiration.鈥�
The agency will target two key types of candidate. One is scientists and engineers; the other is pilots who fly sophisticated jet aircraft. Successful applicants must also have various personality traits, including high motivation and gregariousness.
Wannabe astronauts can from 19 May. They must provide the same that private pilots in Europe require, following tests by a specialised aviation medical examiner.
After the closing date for applications on 15 June, ESA will screen the applications and invite promising applicants for psychological and professional aptitude tests, as well as further medical evaluation. They will then shortlist around 40 people for formal interviews with an ESA selection board.
ESA will announce the final astronaut selection in early 2009. They will probably select four astronauts from the pool, or possibly more if any current astronauts leave the corps. The selected candidates will then begin training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.
No favouritism
The agency will accept applications from all of ESA鈥檚 17 member states. Thirkettle insisted that there would be no favouritism for candidates from nations that contribute funds to ESA鈥檚 human spaceflight programmes. The UK is one of seven members who refuse to pay for it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 part of our rules and regulations 鈥� I think it鈥檚 even part of the law 鈥� that we have to open this to all the member states of the agency,鈥� said Thirkettle. 鈥淐ommon sense requires us to choose the best people for the job. Bearing the right passport is not one of the qualifications.鈥�
However, he conceded that the issue is highly political and that levels of a country鈥檚 financial contribution might be a factor in deciding between two excellent astronauts who are equally promising.
The UK government is taking part in long-term talks with ESA on the possibility of contributing funds for human spaceflight in future. Its stance on the issue has softened lately in light of suggesting that British participation in crewed missions is vital for the UK鈥檚 economy and scientific progress.
鈥淲e would dearly love the UK to become part of the human spaceflight programme,鈥� Thirkettle said. 鈥淭hat would be the icing on our cake.鈥�
Meanwhile, in April Japan鈥檚 space agency began recruiting astronauts for the first time in nearly a decade. And NASA will recruit a dozen new astronauts over the next year or so. The closing date for the NASA applications is 1 July.
