Katherine Bennell-Pegg from the Australian Space Agency joined ESA’s astronaut candidates from the class of 2022 for basic training through a cooperation agreement with ESA. Tune in as she shares her experiences in astronaut training, her favourite lessons, and what keeps her inspired on her journey to the stars! This is episode 7 of our ESA Explores podcast series introducing the ESA astronaut class of 2022, recorded in March 2024. Find out more about the ESA astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ Glossary: AsCan - Astronaut Candidate, 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.

Sophie Adenot is one of ESA's five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. Tune in as she shares her experiences in astronaut training, her favourite lessons, as well as tips on maintaining the balance and achieving your dreams. This is Episode 6 of our ESA Explores podcast series introducing the ESA astronaut class of 2022, recorded in November 2023. Find out more about Sophie: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Sophie_Adenot And about ESA’s astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ Glossary: AsCan - Astronaut Candidate, EAC - European Astronaut Centre, ESTEC - ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, EVA - Extravehicular Activity, NBF - Neutral Buoyancy Facility Music and audio editing by Denzel Lorge. Cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

Pablo Álvarez Fernández, one of ESA's five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, shares his experiences in astronaut training, his favourite lessons, and his view on the future of space exploration. Also, stay tuned to hear his favourite space-related quote and movie! This is Episode 5 of our ESA Explores podcast series introducing the ESA astronaut class of 2022, recorded in November 2023. Find out more about Pablo: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Pablo_Alvarez_Fernandez And about ESA’s astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ Glossary: AsCan - Astronaut Candidate, EAC - European Astronaut Centre, EVA - Extravehicular Activity Music and audio editing by Denzel Lorge. Cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

Rosemary Coogan, one of ESA’s five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, shares her journey from studying the stars as an astronomer to training for space travel. Join us as we talk about her experiences in astronaut training, her favourite lessons, and her excitement for the future of space exploration. This is Episode 4 of our ESA Explores podcast series introducing the ESA astronaut class of 2022, recorded in November 2023. Find out more about Rosemary: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Rosemary_Coogan And about ESA’s astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ Learn more about ESA’s Euclid mission here: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid Glossary: AsCan - Astronaut Candidate, EAC - European Astronaut Centre, EVA - Extravehicular Activity Music and audio editing by Denzel Lorge. Cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

Marco Sieber is one of ESA’s five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne. Join us as we speak to Marco about his first months of training and living in Germany, his background as a medical doctor, his favourite training lessons, and what he is excited about for the future of space exploration. This is the third episode of our ESA Explores podcast series introducing the ESA astronaut class of 2022. It was recorded in November 2023. Find out more about Marco: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Marco_Alain_Sieber And about ESA’s astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ Music and audio editing by Denzel Lorge. Cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

Raphaël Liégeois is one of ESA’s five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne. Join us as we speak to Raphaël about his first months of training and living in Germany, the philosophy of neuroscience, piloting hot air balloons, his favourite training lesson so far, and what he is excited about for the future of space exploration. This is the second episode of our ESA Explores podcast series introducing the ESA astronaut class of 2022. It was recorded in November 2023. Find out more about Raphaël: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Raphael_Liegeois And about ESA’s astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ Here’s the answer to one of our most FAQ ;) https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/11/How_to_go_to_the_toilet_in_space_-_English Music and audio editing by Denzel Lorge. Cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt will soon be launched to the International Space Station for his first spaceflight mission. Marcus is the first member of ESA’s astronaut class of 2022 to fly into space, as the opportunity came to fly on a commercial human spaceflight mission with Axiom Space. Hear from Marcus as he tells us all about his fast-track mission training in Europe and around the world, from intercultural teamwork to space science, and what he’s most looking forward to during his Muninn mission. This is the first episode of our new ESA Explores podcast series introducing the ESA astronaut class of 2022. It was recorded in November 2023. Find out more about Marcus on our ESA Exploration blog: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts/marcus-wandt/ Music and audio editing by Denzel Lorge. Cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of our Time and Space series on the ESA Explores podcast! Join us in commemorating the 40th anniversary of Spacelab's maiden flight, a pivotal moment in European space history. We're thrilled to chat with Ulf Merbold, ESA's first astronaut in space, as we reflect on 40 years of space exploration. Explore his remarkable journey—from pioneering missions to his vision for the future of space exploration. Audio editing by Denzel Lorge. Additional content: Find out more about Ulf here or listen to our episode: Time and space: ESA’s first astronaut | ESA Explores (podbean.com). Read more about the 40-year anniversary of Spacelab-1 and discover Spacelab-1’s enduring legacy and its impact on future space exploration here: ESA – Spacelab to Gateway: 40 years of modules for people in space.

ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer will soon be launched to the International Space Station for a six-month stay in orbit. In this podcast, he talks about his training, the differences he's found between the Russian and American spacesuits, the role of the new European Robotic Arm (ERA), whether he's packed, science and what he's most looking forward to during his Cosmic Kiss mission. Note: this episode was recorded just prior to the launch of Russia's new MLM module, which travelled to the Station on 21 July with ERA attached to its back. Matthias is scheduled to launch as a member of Crew-3 in a SpaceX Crew Dragon no earlier than 31 October 2021.

ESA astronaut André Kuipers first encountered the European Robotic Arm (ERA) on paper, when it was intended for a proposed spaceplane called Hermes. Many iterations later, this European-built robot will soon be launched to the International Space Station – its new home in orbit. In this episode André shares how he trained with ERA underwater in Moscow, Russia and talks us through its features from an astronaut's perspective. The launch will be streamed live on ESA Web TV: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/ESA_Web_TV

The European Robotic Arm (ERA) is set for launch to the International Space Station in July 2021, where it will provide access to the exterior of the Russian segment and support future space walks. Ahead of its launch, we caught up with ESA ERA project manager Philippe Schoonejans. Philippe shares more about this dexterous 11 m long robot, what it enables, and its journey from Europe to space in a tale of international partnership and perseverance. This episode is the first in a series covering the European Robotic Arm. Stay tuned for an astronaut's perspective in our next episode with ESA astronaut André Kuipers. For more on ESA's human and robotic exploration activities follow us on Twitter @esaspaceflight or visit blogs.esa.int/exploration

Loredana Bessone is preparing astronauts to explore other planets through innovative training on Earth. In this episode of astronaut selection series, she shares how astronauts train in underground caves and in different geological locations to develop their skills for the International Space Station and beyond, and how she came to train space explorers. ESA is currently accepting applications for the first astronaut selection in 11 years. But hurry! Applications close 18 June 2021. Visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace for more information and to apply.

A team of students and young professionals from across Europe are exploring innovative solutions to some of the biggest challenges we'll face as we go forward to the Moon and beyond. In this episode we speak with Science Officer for ESA Aidan Cowley about an initiative called Spaceship EAC, building Moon bases with regolith, and his advice for the next generation. This episode is part of our space careers series developed for ESA's 2021 astronaut selection. Due to Lithuania's new status as an ESA Associate Member, the deadline for astronaut applications has been extended to 18 June 2021. Read more about the selection process and find #YourWayToSpace at esa.int/yourwaytospace

In the final episode of our Time and Space series, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker talks us through Europe's next steps into space. We hear about ESA's three exploration destinations: the International Space Station, the Moon and Mars and get a feel for what it might be like to travel to the Gateway – a planned space station around the Moon.

As a member of the instructor training team for ESA's European Astronaut Centre, Misbahur Rehman-Saad puts astronauts and flight control teams through their paces. In this episode, he talks more about the role of flight directors and ground support teams that keep the International Space Station running smoothly, as well as training astronauts from ESA and its partner agencies on the European Columbus laboratory's systems and hardware. Misbah knows firsthand, that perseverance pays off. Tune in to his story, as we look ahead to the selection of new ESA astronauts in 2021. Note: the deadline to apply to ESA's astronaut selection is 28 May 2021. If you're even considering applying, don't delay. Visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace for more information.

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.

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.

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

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?

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?