The European Space Agency is looking for its next astronaut and UK citizens of any age and walk of life are invited to apply

Are you calm under pressure, fit and healthy, and looking to reach new career heights?

For the first time since 2008, The European Space Agency is on the lookout for new astronauts to join its cohort of space explorers – and UK citizens of any age and walk of life are invited to apply.

Following an intensive period of training, which will include a three-week course in caving and a course in practical geology, the new astronauts will take their first flights into space when they are deployed to the International Space Station.

They are likely to be part of the crew on the next missions to the Moon in the late 2020s and through the 2030s.

ESA is also issuing a special call for candidates with physical disabilities to apply to its astronaut reserve.

The pilot project aims to open the astronaut career path to people who, until now, have been excluded from space flight.

Those with a lower limb deficiency or who are considered to be of short stature and meet other recruitment criteria are invited to apply.

ESA will invest in the necessary adaptations of space hardware to enable these otherwise excellently qualified professionals to serve as crew members on a safe space mission.

The UK Space Agency expects the next professional UK astronaut to be selected through this recruitment drive and encourages all eligible applicants to apply.

Experience of the space sector is not essential, but candidates will need a master’s degree (or higher) in Natural Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Mathematics or Computer Sciences or be qualified as an experimental test pilot.

Fluency in English is essential along with other requirements. The right person for the job will also be calm under pressure and be willing to be the participate in life science experiments, past experiments have included studying the effects of microgravity on human bone and tissue.

Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart said:

“Many people will have hoped for an opportunity to train as an astronaut and this recruitment drive will allow people from across Wales and the UK to take the first steps towards fulfilling that dream.

“The UK Government is backing our space sector and I’m sure the successful candidates for space missions will continue and enhance the work of those who came before them.”

British astronaut Tim Peake – Photo UK Space Agency

British ESA astronaut, Tim Peake, said: “Over the next few years and decades, space exploration will become even more exciting as we travel back to the Moon and even further to Mars.”

“For space missions to succeed, they require highly motivated people from diverse backgrounds to combine their skills and work as a team.”

“The next generation of UK citizens have so much to offer the world, and so I would encourage anyone who has dreamt of pushing the boundaries of what is possible to take this opportunity to be part of ESA’s future cohort of space pioneers.”

The position of Astronaut is just one possible career path in the UK space industry, which employs close to 42,000 people in various roles from aerospace engineers, satellite technicians, research scientists to entrepreneurs and lawyers.

Anyone who meets the criteria to be an astronaut is invited to submit a complete application online through the ESA careers website.

Applications will open on March 31st and stay open for two months until May 28th.

There will then be a 17-month process of screening, psychological, practical, and psychometric testing, medical selections and two interview selections until the final applicants will be appointed and announced in October 2022.

The UK Space Agency has been a member of the ESA human exploration programme since 2012, and its participation is not affected by Brexit.

The UK Space Industry has a total income of £14.8 billion, and its contribution to GDP is expected to grow as the government boosts investment in space-related activity.