ESA Explores

ESA Explores: the space doctor is in

In episode 6 of our astronaut selection series, ESA Senior Flight Surgeon Sergi Vaquer Araujo talks us through his role in taking care of ESA astronauts before, during and after spaceflight.

Sergi is a medical doctor and part of ESA's space medicine team. He shares how he came to be involved with ESA through the Fly Your Thesis! programme that offers master and PhD students the opportunity to fly their scientific experiment or technological research in microgravity conditions on a parabolic flight. 

You can hear more from Sergi in the Spanish language session of ESA's astronaut selection media briefings. Visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace to watch the replay and find everything you need to know about ESA's 2021 astronaut selection – but hurry! Applications close 28 May 2021. 

ESA Explores: the voice of Earth in orbit

In this episode we explore another fascinating space career. Andrea Boyd coordinates ESA's European Communicator and Medical Operations (Eurocom) team. Based at ESA's European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Eurocoms are the voice of Europe in space – providing a vital link between experts on Earth and astronauts in orbit. Think "Houston we have a problem" except, in this case, the call sign is Munich. 

In her role, Andrea is is regular contact with astronauts from all International Space Station partners. She also works closely with a wide range of scientists, engineers, flight controllers, medical experts and others on the ground to ensure everything runs smoothly in orbit. Tune in to hear more about her pathway to space and other opportunities available at ESA. 

This episode is part of our astronaut selection series. Visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace to find out more and apply before 28 May 2021. 

ESA Explores: maximising crew time in space

In episode four of our astronaut selection series, we catch up with utilisation planning team lead at ESA Kirsten MacDonell. From the Canadian Air Force to the European Space Agency, Kirsten has had a fascinating journey and she's far from finished. We asked her what it takes to prepare experiments for Station and ensure smooth in-space operation. Tune in to find out more about how she works with astronauts, scientists and her team in this pivotal space role. 

ESA is currently recruiting new astronauts. For more information on how to apply and to see other roles at ESA visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace 

ESA Explores: the Space Station and Mars

In this special bonus series, we are talking science on the International Space Station (ISS). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first European astronaut mission to the ISS and over two decades of science experiments on the orbital outpost. 

We want to know more about how science got started, what it takes to get an experiment up to the ISS, and what’s in store for the future.

This is the third episode of our three-part conversation with guests, Andreas Schoen, Kirsten MacDonell and Nicole Buckley, who all work for ESA’s Research and Payloads Group. In the episode we talk about the future of the ISS. Do we need the ISS to get to Mars?

 

ESA Explores: getting an experiment to orbit

In this special bonus series, we are talking science on the International Space Station (ISS). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first European astronaut mission to the ISS and more than two decades of science on the orbital outpost. 

We want to know more about how science got started, what it takes to get an experiment up to the ISS, and what’s in store for the future.

This is the second episode of our three-part conversation with guests, Andreas Schoen, Kirsten MacDonell and Nicole Buckley, who all work for ESA’s Research and Payloads Group. In the episode we talk about present day science on the ISS. What does it take to get your experiment in orbit?

ESA Explores: the early days of Space Station science

In this special bonus series, we are talking science on the International Space Station (ISS). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first mission of a European astronaut to the ISS, where we astronauts have now been conducting science for researchers on Earth for over two decades. 

We want to know more about how science got started, what it takes to get an experiment up to the ISS, and what’s in store for the future.

This is the first episode of our three-part conversation with guests, Andreas Schoen, Kirsten MacDonell and Nicole Buckley, who all work for ESA’s Research and Payloads Group. In the episode we talk about the history of the International Space Station. How did science on the Space Station get started?

 

ESA Explores: research in space

ESA research and payloads programme coordinator coordinator Jennifer Ngo-Anh shares how she found her way to space as we delve into human research on the International Space Station and the challenges facing our astronauts on long-duration missions. 

This is episode three in our astronaut selection series in which we explore what it takes to be an ESA astronaut as well as some of the other roles available at ESA. ESA is accepting applications for its 2021-22 astronaut selection from 31 March to 28 May 2021. Find out more and make #YourWayToSpace at esa.int/yourwaytospace 

Thank you to Stephen Ennis for editing this episode. 

ESA Explores: becoming an astronaut

As the European Space Agency (ESA) recruits its first astronauts in over 10 years, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano shares his journey to spaceflight and some of the qualities he's observed in his fellow space explorers. 

Luca has now flown two six-month missions to the International Space Station, but did he always want to be an astronaut? What do astronauts do when they're not in space? And what advice would Luca give to astronaut hopefuls? This second episode in our space careers series covers all this and more. ESA's accepting applications for the role of Astronaut and Astronaut (with a physical disability) until 28 May 2021. Visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace for how to apply. 

 

ESA Explores: space careers

To mark the opening of the European Space Agency's first astronaut selection in over a decade, we embark on a journey into the wonderful world of space careers. In this initial episode, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker introduces the ESA astronaut selection and the qualities ESA is looking for in its new recruits.

Host Ally Koehler asks about the newly introduced 'Parastronaut Fly!' feasibility project in which ESA is opening its application process to qualified candidates living with a physical disability, and David reveals whether or not he has astronaut aspirations. 

For more on ESA's astronaut selection visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace and stay tuned for future episodes of this special season. All applications must be submitted via ESA's careers website by the time applications close on 28 May 2021. 

Audio editing by Stephen Ennis. 

Time and Space: launching Columbus to orbit

The addition of ESA's Columbus laboratory, and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) programme, changed the shape of European participation on the International Space Station. But its launch came at a challenging time for human spaceflight.

In this episode ESA astronaut Frank De Winne and former ESA International Space Station programme manager Bernardo Patti talk about Columbus' launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis, the tragedy that preceded it, and what the science lab has enabled for Europeans in space to this day. 

On 31 March 2021, ESA is opening applications for its first astronaut recruitment round in more than a decade. Visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace to find out more and #MakeYourWayToSpace