Stage one of the European Space Agency's (ESA) newest astronaut selection procedure has been completed, with 1,362 astronauts and 29 parastronaut applications making the cut.
The group, which began with 23,000 hopefuls, will now be invited to take a battery of performance, and personality tests, followed by psychological interviews and medical testing for those who advance.
ESA acknowledged in December that it was still in the process of contacting candidates. On the other hand, any would-be spacefarer will have to wait further.
NASA has recorded an eye condition in more than half of the astronauts who have worked on the International Space Station for six months or longer.
ESA Received More Than 22,000 Astronaut Applications
According to Phys.org, the agency stated last year that it had received a record number of 22,589 applications from those aspiring to join the continent's next generation of space explorers.
The ESA announced Tuesday that it had decreased the number of applicants to less than 1,400-29 of whom have a physical disability. The agency will narrow the shortlist to several tens of candidates by the end of the year for the four to six astronaut training spots available.
Josef Aschbacher, the agency's director-general, said the selection process would be followed by a feasibility assessment to examine the ramifications of selecting disabled individuals. Nonetheless, ESA is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all.
Shortlisted Astronauts to Undergo Series of Tests
For the 1,391 candidates who have made it this far, the first phase of testing concentrates on psychological performance, including cognitive, technical, motor coordination, and personality assessments, administered over a full day.
It will be followed by a series of psychological interviews and group assessments for selected candidates, after which medical testing will begin.
Daily Mail said candidates who pass all screening phases would be asked to meet with senior ESA officials for recruitment interviews. In addition to six full-time professional astronauts, the ESA is searching for up to 20 reservists, who may be university professors who are willing to travel to space if called upon.
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ESA stated those who advanced to the next round of the astronaut selection process were picked based on the quality of their applications, not their gender.
ESA to Reveal New Astronauts By Autumn 2022
According to The Register, interviews will occur before the new batch of astronauts and reserves is revealed in Autumn 2022.
There are 61 percent male applications and 39 percent, female applicants, among the 1,362 astronaut candidates. There are 27.6 percent female applications and 72.4 percent, male applicants, among the remaining 29 parastronauts.
The news comes only days after the 35th anniversary of NASA's selection (TFNG - Thirty-Five New Guys) in 1978. Sally Ride, who would become the first American woman in space, was among those chosen by NASA at the time.
The European Space Agency (ESA) intends to set an example by accepting potential astronauts with physical disabilities applications. It might be due to a lower limb deficit, a leg length disparity, or a shorter than 130cm tall person.
NASA Astronaut Management
On the other side, NASA is having some issues with its astronaut management. According to a study by its inspector, the US space agency may struggle to satisfy the demands of the planned Artemis missions.
Furthermore, the paper states that data limits would "restrict NASA's ability to adequately monitor its progress toward reaching wider diversity, equality, inclusion, and accessibility goals," which is "a serious concern given that astronauts are among the Agency's most publicly visible personnel."
In December 2021, NASA revealed their astronaut candidate class for 2021, including 10 applicants.
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