Houston Welcomes Incoming Visitors

Last week, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) astronaut class of 2022 had the exciting opportunity to visit NASA’s Johnson Space Centre (JSC) in Houston, Texas. This trip marked an important milestone for the astronaut candidates, as they got to experience the environment where they will undergo a significant part of their training for future space missions.

The group of ESA astronaut candidates included Sophie Adenot, Rosemary Coogan, Pablo Álvarez Fernández, Raphaël Liégeois, and Marco Sieber, along with John McFall from the ESA reserve and Katherine Bennell-Pegg from the Australian Space Agency. Currently undergoing basic astronaut training at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany, these candidates are preparing themselves for their future missions.

Basic training is an important phase for aspiring astronauts, as it provides them with a foundation of knowledge and skills necessary for space exploration. During this training, the candidates receive a general overview of space programs and agencies, as well as an introduction to various technical and scientific disciplines. They also familiarize themselves with the International Space Station (ISS) and its onboard systems, along with specialized training in robotics and scuba diving for spacewalk simulations underwater.

After completing the one-year basic training program, the ESA astronaut candidates become eligible for mission assignments and transition to mission-specific training. This phase focuses on tailored preparation for their assigned space missions and involves more training time with partner agencies like NASA. Alexander Gerst, an ESA astronaut and lead of astronaut operations at EAC, emphasized the significance of this trip, stating that it marks an important step in the candidates’ astronaut careers as they widen their perspective on ISS real-time operations and the international partnership framework with NASA.

During their week-long stay at JSC, the astronaut candidates had the opportunity to explore their upcoming training environments, meet their future colleagues, and participate in specialized training events. The first stop for the candidates was an immersive experience in a full-scale mock-up of the Space Station architecture. Marco expressed his excitement upon stepping into the mock-up, describing it as a breathtaking marvel of human engineering that felt surprisingly cozy. This experience offered the candidates a glimpse into their potential future home in space.

The candidates also received briefings on emergency procedures, contingency communication, and specific habitability systems related to the Space Station. For Raphaël, it was great to learn about critical systems, such as astronauts’ planning tools and storage systems, which they will rely on for their everyday life in space. They also had the opportunity to witness Mission Control in action, observing real-time communication and operational procedures with the Space Station. This experience inspired Pablo, who expressed his desire to be part of such a coordinated effort in the heart of space missions.

Spacewalk training, a favorite among astronauts, was another highlight of the trip. Having previously received certification for diving at ESA’s Neutral Buoyancy Facility, the candidates were well-prepared for underwater spacewalk simulations aimed at simulating the weightless experience of space. They explored the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, a 12-meter-deep facility hosting a replica of the entire Space Station. The candidates had the chance to observe a full space suit dive, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the process and a visual representation of what their spacewalk training will entail.

The trip also served as a platform for the candidates to build professional relationships with potential future colleagues from NASA. Rosemary found it valuable to interact with others who are on a similar journey, as they will be working closely during assigned training. This interaction fosters knowledge exchange and further strengthens the international collaboration between space agencies.

Luca Parmitano, an ESA astronaut currently serving as a liaison officer between EAC and JSC, organized the visit and guided the candidates throughout their time at NASA. Luca took pleasure in sharing his experience and knowledge with the next generation of astronauts. Alexander Gerst, alongside Luca, designed the program with a focus on not only training and professional development but also providing a human perspective. They were thrilled to see the candidates thrive and acquire the skills needed for complex long-duration missions.

Overall, the visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Centre was a significant milestone in the ESA astronaut candidates’ training journey. It provided them with valuable insights into their future training environment, allowed them to build connections with potential colleagues, and gave them a sense of what their future missions will entail. With their basic training nearing completion, these candidates are now one step closer to embarking on their space exploration careers.