#44 Space 2.0: A spacefaring species

Space travel may not be an impossible dream anymore. Access to a diverse pool of talents is a great asset, and ESA's new cohort of astronauts reflects this, with the first parastronaut program. With this interview, I wanted to learn more about the selection process, how the requirements are evolving, but also to debunk some of the romanticized views that many of us may have of the astronaut's job.

Questions asked in this episode

00:23 During the past year, we have heard a lot about ESA's astronaut selection. The deadline was June 18, 2021, and this is late July that we're taping this interview. What can you tell us about the selection so far? How many applications you have received, etc.

02:14 How many astronauts will make it through the selection process, i.e. how many are you looking for?

04:18 How long is the selection process going to take?

04:52 What happens to the previous cohort? Are these astronauts going to replace them?

06:39 Besides the astronauts, are you hiring other types of figures at the moment? The reason for the question is that astronauts are like the rock stars, but there are large teams of people supporting the missions. Are you hiring a new cohort of those people, too?

08:48 How much time are the astronauts expected to spend in orbit? Is it true that the time spent in orbit increases with every generation of astronauts?

11:11 So, astronauts are expected to spend 6 months in orbit. Is this 6 months... at a time, or 6 months in total?

11:55 Do you think that soon we will see other types of figures being hired to travel to space, like tour guides, cleaning staff or a cook? Professions that support a larger variety of people visiting space, not only for scientific purposes.

14:18 How has the astronaut's job changed since 10 years ago... and also with respect to the 1960s and 1970s?

17:14 You have mentioned the ISS a number of times in this interview. Would you be so kind to define it for our audience, please? (International Space Station)
Jennifer also talks about the science that is conducted on board the ISS.

19:53 Can you mention some experiment that is done on the ISS and that has a practical application on earth?

22:22 The impact of space on the human body: are astronauts monitored both during the flight and after they come back to Earth?

23:30 Not all humans respond equally to the effects of space travel. This is to be expected. But is the range of responses notably great?

24:12 In the light of all we have said, would you say that being an astronaut is still a high risk career?

25:34 Space exploration is a collective effort. The ISS is an example of what we can achieve when we join forces. Yet, on Earth, it seems that nations have not overcome their differences and there are severe frictions especially on the political level. Why do you think that collaboration works so well in space?

27:50 Jennifer talks about the parastronaut program.

30:38 The selection campaign was designed to attract the largest possible number of people, "apply, apply, apply". Weren't you afraid that you would get a lot of applications from people who are not fit? What was the rationale behind this campaign design?