Meet the space makers as we journey across Europe and into the cosmos to build a future beyond Earth alone. From astronauts to space doctors, engineers and miss...
ESA Astronaut Class of 2022: Astro Chat with Andrea Patassa
Meet Andrea Patassa—test pilot, aviator, passionate outdoor adventurer, and Member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve.
In this miniseries, we take you on a journey through the ESA Astronaut Reserve, diving into the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany. Our “ARTists” are immersing themselves in everything from ESA and the International Space Station programme to the European space industry and institutions. They’re gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, alongside human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival training.
ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training programme is all about building Europe’s next generation of space explorers—preparing them for the opportunities of future missions in Earth orbit and beyond.
This interview was recorded in November 2024.
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ESA Astronaut Class of 2022: Astro Chat with Sara García Alonso
Meet Sara García Alonso — biotechnologist, cancer researcher, passionate science communicator and member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve.
She’s our first guest in this miniseries, where we dive into the journey of the ESA Astronaut Reserve and explore the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC). Here, our “ARTists” are learning all about ESA and the International Space Station programme, the European space industry and institutions, and gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, as well as human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival skills. This interview was recorded in November 2024.
Find out more about Sara: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Sara_Garcia_Alonso
Check out the ESA Astronaut Reserve Training programme: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/The_ART_of_training
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ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Marco Sieber and Claude Nicollier
Swiss round: Get ready for an inspiring episode as we bring together Marco Sieber, from ESA’s newest astronaut class, and Claude Nicollier, a pioneer from ESA’s first astronaut group in 1978. Both from Switzerland, they dive into their astronaut training experiences, how space missions have evolved, and which Moon they’d love to explore. Their passion for space is contagious – this episode is a must-listen!
This is Episode 11 of our ESA Explores podcast series, delving into everything you want to know about the ESA astronaut class of 2022. Recorded in December 2023.
Find out more about Marco: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Marco_Alain_Sieber
About Claude: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Claude_Nicollier
About the ESA astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/
Glossary: EAC - European Astronaut Centre, EVA - Extravehicular Activity
Host and audio editing by Laura Zurmühlen, featuring music by Denzel Lorge and cover art by Gaël Nadaud.
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Road to the stars: Training for the Moon at LUNA
Join us with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer as we explore LUNA – our state-of-the-art Moon analogue facility located next to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. A joint project between ESA and DLR, LUNA is designed to simulate the lunar surface and will train astronauts and support a wide range of research and technology development for future missions to the Moon and beyond.
This is the first episode of our ESA Explores podcast series diving into everything you want to know about the activities at ESA's European Astronaut Centre. Recorded in August 2024.
Find out more about LUNA here: Home - Luna Analog Facility (luna-analog-facility.de)
More about the Artemis programme: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion
Glossary: DLR - Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center), EAC - European Astronaut Centre, EMU - Extravehicular Mobility Unit, EVA - Extravehicular Activity, NBF - Neutral Buoyancy Facility, NBL - Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory
Host and audio editing by Laura Zurmühlen, featuring music by Denzel Lorge.
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ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Sławosz Uznański
Sławosz is an ESA project astronaut currently preparing for a future mission to the International Space Station at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Germany. We spoke to him about his training, a first space suit check, his passion for science and engineering, as well as his view on missions forward to the Moon.
This is Episode 10 of our ESA Explores podcast series, delving into everything you want to know about the ESA astronaut class of 2022. Recorded in March 2024.
Find out more about Sławosz: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Slawosz_Uznanski
About the ESA astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/
About ESA within the Artemis programme: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion
Glossary: AsCan - Astronaut Candidate, EAC - European Astronaut Centre, ESTEC - European Space Research and Technology Centre, EVA - Extravehicular Activity
Host and audio editing by Laura Zurmühlen, featuring music by Denzel Lorge and cover art by Gaël Nadaud.
Meet the space makers as we journey across Europe and into the cosmos to build a future beyond Earth alone. From astronauts to space doctors, engineers and mission controllers, ESA Explores goes behind the scenes of Europe’s greatest adventure yet.
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