European Space Agency Astronaut Corps

European Space Agency Astronaut Corps
Name	European Space Agency Astronaut Corps
Caption	ESA astronauts in 2019
Formed	1978
Headquarters	European Astronaut Centre, Cologne
Parent organization	European Space Agency
Members	c. 18 (varies)

Contents

European Space Agency Astronaut Corps The European Space Agency Astronaut Corps conducts human spaceflight operations for the European Space Agency and coordinates participation in programs such as the International Space Station, Ariane, Soyuz MS missions and partnerships with National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Roscosmos, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Canadian Space Agency and China National Space Administration. Established in the late 20th century amid collaborations like the Spacelab program and the Columbus laboratory, the corps draws personnel from member states including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Sweden and has contributed crew to expeditions such as Expedition 1 and Expedition 50.

History

The corps originated after agreements between organizations such as the European Space Research Organisation and national agencies like the Centre National d'Études Spatiales and the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt following early cooperative projects like Spacelab and the Hermes study, with formal establishment coinciding with the creation of the European Space Agency and milestones including the selection of early astronauts who trained for flights on Space Shuttle missions and later on Soyuz vehicles. Over decades the corps expanded through selection rounds linked to initiatives such as Columbus, the International Space Station, the Automated Transfer Vehicle program, and bilateral agreements with NASA, Roscosmos and the Canadian Space Agency that enabled flights on STS-47, STS-122, Soyuz TMA-20 and commercial missions like those contracted to SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. Institutional evolution included establishment of facilities such as the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne and policy frameworks coordinated at meetings of the ESA Council.

The corps is administered by the European Space Agency through the European Astronaut Centre and organized into groups reflecting nationalities from member states including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, with selection panels that have historically included representatives from agencies like the Centre National d'Études Spatiales and the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt. Candidate selection campaigns have sought professionals from backgrounds represented by laureates of institutions such as the École Polytechnique, the Imperial College London, the Politecnico di Milano, the University of Cambridge and the Karolinska Institutet, favoring test results comparable to those used by NASA Astronaut Corps and Roscosmos and following standards set in agreements like the Intergovernmental Agreement on the International Space Station. Selection criteria emphasize flight experience from operators such as Airbus Defence and Space and Dassault Aviation, scientific credentials from universities like the University of Oxford and clinical qualifications recognized by bodies such as the European Space Agency medical board.

Training occurs at centers including the European Astronaut Centre, Johnson Space Center, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and facilities operated by contractors like Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space, covering spacecraft systems for Soyuz, Space Shuttle legacy procedures, International Space Station operations, and commercial vehicles such as Crew Dragon. Coursework and practical instruction draw on expertise from institutions including the International Space University, the Eurocontrol for crew resource management, the Karolinska Institutet for human physiology, and underwater training at facilities like the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory to simulate extravehicular activity protocols used on STS and Expedition missions. Qualification pathways include mission specialist, flight engineer and commander roles analogous to training schemas from NASA Astronaut Corps and Roscosmos with assessments overseen by panels linked to the ESA Council.

Corps members have flown on missions to platforms including the International Space Station, the Mir space station, and shuttle-era projects such as Spacelab, with flights aboard Space Shuttle, Soyuz, and commercial launchers from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Guiana Space Centre and Kennedy Space Center. Operations integrate logistics with programs like the Automated Transfer Vehicle, servicing efforts coordinated with European Space Research Organisation successors and payload science tied to experiments from institutions such as the CERN and the Max Planck Society. Mission roles span long-duration expedition crewmembers, short-duration specialists for Columbus payloads, and participation in international missions such as Expedition 35, Expedition 60 and commercial partnerships under contracts with SpaceX and Axiom Space.

Notable members have included pioneers who flew on STS-47 and STS-122, scientists trained at École Polytechnique and University of Oxford, and commanders with backgrounds in organizations like Armée de l'Air and Luftwaffe. Prominent figures served on high-profile missions such as Expedition 13 and Expedition 42, collaborated with agencies including NASA and Roscosmos, and held adjunct posts at institutions like the European Space Agency and the European Astronaut Centre. Many have been honored by orders and awards such as the Order of Merit, national decorations from France and Italy, and recognition from academies including the Royal Society.

Medical standards and safety protocols are coordinated with the European Space Agency medical board, drawing on research from the Karolinska Institutet, the European Space Agency's Life Sciences Division, and collaborations with clinical units at the University of Cologne and Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou. Programs address spaceflight-associated risks documented in studies from institutions like the European Space Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including countermeasures developed with partners such as the European Space Research and Technology Centre and rehabilitation protocols aligned with practices in national health systems of France and Germany.

Outreach initiatives operate through the European Space Agency public affairs office, partnerships with museums like the Science Museum, London and the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace, and collaborations with universities including the University of Cambridge and the University of Milan to promote STEM engagement. Programs include school visits coordinated with national agencies such as the Centre National d'Études Spatiales, multimedia releases alongside broadcasters like the European Broadcasting Union, and citizen science projects linked to platforms managed by organizations such as the European Space Agency and academic consortia.