European astronauts wanted | Children’s week

Attention space lovers! The European space agency ESA is looking for four to six new astronauts. Women and people with a physical disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

After twelve years, it is time for a new shipment of astronauts to go to space. This is why ESA is looking for four to six young space explorers. Well, young. They must already have a master’s degree and at least three years of professional experience. André Kuipers himself has been in space twice and talks about what it is like to be an astronaut.

Team work

“You don’t have to be the best, you have to be able to work as a team,” says André Kuipers. “You are not often in space. Then you do other tasks based on your experience. For example, developing new equipment, communicating with colleagues who are in the room and showing the public what ESA is doing up there.

Good feeling

“It seemed adventurous to me when I was a kid. Later I also saw how useful it is. I wanted to be involved in the exploration of the universe and help humanity in this area. It gives a good impression. And it’s fantastic to see the globe from the space station and look out into the universe.

Various astronauts

Women and people with a physical disability are especially encouraged to apply, as ESA likes to send as many different people as possible into the room. There are very few female astronauts to date. And if you miss a foot or part of your legs, or if you are less than 1.30 meters tall, you cannot go into space at first. It’s now!