On Monday 22 April ESA celebrated the graduation of its class of 2022 astronaut candidates. The...
On Monday 22 April ESA celebrated the graduation of its class of 2022 astronaut candidates.
The ceremony, held at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, signified the successful completion of basic training for the five European astronaut graduates and the Australian Space Agency's first astronaut, all now eligible for spaceflight assignments.
"Today is a significant milestone as we celebrate the graduation of a new class of five ESA astronauts, who are now qualified to be assigned to future spaceflights. I am also proud to witness the graduation of an Australian astronaut candidate, which reaffirms our dedication to advancing international cooperation in space exploration. The addition of fresh talent and diverse perspectives and expertise enhances our ability to navigate the complexities of space exploration and solidifies ESA's role as a pioneering force in shaping our future in space," said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.
Selected for training in 2022 at the ESA Ministerial Council, the astronaut candidates commenced their basic training in April 2023, first at ESA's European Astronaut Centre and then across the globe.
Assigned ESA astronauts from the new class will move on to the next phases of pre-assignment and mission-specific training, paving the way for future missions to the International Space Station and beyond.
From this pool, 17 individuals were chosen to form the astronaut class of 2022, including 12 members of the ESA astronaut reserve and five astronaut candidates who have completed their basic training.
ESA's Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander said, "As the basic training is successfully completed by our new ESA astronauts, we embark on a new era in European astronaut history. These five new members of the European astronaut corps, alongside the members of the reserve, underscore our dedication to fostering talent and maximising opportunities for space exploration. We are poised to embark on a new era of collaborative endeavours, pushing the boundaries of discovery and shaping the future of space exploration."
ESA astronaut class of 2022 graduation ceremony replay.
"Completing basic astronaut training has been an extraordinary journey of personal growth. I'm deeply grateful for the invaluable lessons learned from the best in the field and thrilled to play a role in shaping the future of space exploration. As an ESA astronaut representing Spain, I am honoured to join the lineage of pioneers like Pedro Duque. This opportunity fills me with immense pride, and I'm excited to elevate our shared passion for space to unprecedented heights."
"Graduating from astronaut basic training is an incredibly moving moment for me. From dreaming about space to now being one step closer to reaching it, I'm filled with gratitude and determination to make the most of this extraordinary opportunity. I'm proud to share this moment with my fellow astronaut graduates and of the commitment of our international team to exploration. Together, we stand ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, united by our shared passion for space."