The agency announced last year that it had received a record number of 22,589 applications from people hoping to become the continent’s next generation of space travelers.
ESA said Tuesday it has reduced these to fewer than 1,400 — 29 of whom have a physical disability — and hopea to cut the shortlist down to several tens of candidates by the end of the year for the four to six positions on its astronaut training program.
ESA has for decades relied on its Russian and American counterparts to launch astronauts into space. Currently the agency has several places booked on American commercial launches. But Aschbacher said Europe may finally get its own crewed spacecraft if ESA member states approve the idea at a meeting later this year.
In the meantime, the agency will continue to develop its robotic capability, including a spacecraft capable of carrying large loads to the Moon that would support joint missions with partners such as NASA. “It could be that there’s very simple, primitive life in the water underneath the ice cover,” said Aschbacher.Time is also a factor in the replacement of one of ESA's science satellites, Sentinel 1-B, which stopped functioning properly in late December.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
EVs Beat Diesels As Electric Car Sales Ramp Up In EuropeEV sales in Europe passed diesel sales for the first time in December.
Leer más »
Volkswagen finishes 2021 as best-selling brand in Europe | AutocarAround 9.7 million cars were sold across Europe in 2021; German brand led by a significant margin
Leer más »
Eater Dallas Is Looking for a New Editor. Is It You?The site is on the hunt for a part-time writer and editor
Leer más »