Wanted: European Astronaut's

[MrNerdy]

Have you got the right stuff?
Then read on.

If you have ever dreamt of landing on the Moon now could be your chance, as the European Space Agency launches a recruitment drive.

As part of the agency's Cosmic Vision initiative, representatives will be at London's Science Museum later to recruit potential astronauts for missions between 2015 and 2025. The overall selection process will begin on Monday, May 19 and candidates must apply through the www.esa.int/astronautselection site.

They will have to provide the same medical examination certificate as private pilot and undergo two stages of psychological and professional aptitude evaluation, including behavioural and cognitive skills tests as well as a rigorous interview with ESA bosses. The final appointments will be officially announced in 2009 and the selected candidates will join the European Astronaut Corps and begin basic training at the European Astronaut Centre (ESA-EAC) in Cologne, Germany.

Michel Tognini, former astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Centre, said: "We want to find high-calibre men and women in Europe to prepare to meet the challenges of ISS exploitation and human exploration of our solar system in the 21st century." He added: "As of May 2008, ESA will be searching in each of its 17 member states for the best candidates to make this vision a reality."

Candidates from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are eligible to apply.

Gerhard Thiele, former astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Division, said: "The ideal candidate should be competent in relevant scientific disciplines, including but not restricted to life sciences, physics, chemistry and medicine and/or be an engineer or pilot, and should have demonstrated outstanding abilities in research, applications or the educational field, preferably including operational skills."

Applicants should be fluent in English, with Russian an asset, and should exhibit personality traits such as high motivation, flexibility, team competence, empathy with others and emotional stability, he said.

Mr Thiele added: "In addition, characteristics expected of all applicants include a good memory and reasoning ability, concentration, aptitude for spatial orientation, and manual dexterity."

(News Source - ITN)

[TimoftheC]

Originally Posted by MrNerdy

Have you got the right stuff?

Gerhard Thiele, former astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Division, said: "The ideal candidate should be competent in relevant scientific disciplines, including but not restricted to life sciences, physics, chemistry and medicine and/or be an engineer or pilot, and should have demonstrated outstanding abilities in research, applications or the educational field, preferably including operational skills."

Applicants should be fluent in English, with Russian an asset, and should exhibit personality traits such as high motivation, flexibility, team competence, empathy with others and emotional stability, he said.

Mr Thiele added: "In addition, characteristics expected of all applicants include a good memory and reasoning ability, concentration, aptitude for spatial orientation, and manual dexterity."

(News Source - ITN)

I'm waiting for the announcement that they are going to experiment with sending overweight, middle-aged men of average intelligence into space to see how an average person deals with it, instead of the super intelligent bods they send now. The day they announce that my application will be the first one in.

Just hope they make the decision before I turn 60.

[wagnerk]

Originally Posted by MrNerdy

The final appointments will be officially announced in 2009 and the selected candidates will join the European Astronaut Corps and begin basic training at the European Astronaut Centre (ESA-EAC) in Cologne, Germany.

Pity, I was just about to apply then I realised that it couldn't be done in the evenings, lol

-ken

[BosonMichael]

I'd love to be an astronaut.

[twizzle]

Originally Posted by TimoftheC

I'm waiting for the announcement that they are going to experiment with sending overweight, middle-aged men of average intelligence into space to see how an average person deals with it, instead of the super intelligent bods they send now. The day they announce that my application will be the first one in.

Just hope they make the decision before I turn 60.

I thought NASA was already doing that??? They called them Americans????

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by twizzle

I thought NASA was already doing that??? They called them Americans????