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...

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. Note: when this episode was recorded, André was expected to attend...

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 this tale of international partnership and perseverance.  This episode is the first in a series...

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...

A team of students and young professionals from across Europe are exploring innovative solutions to some of the biggest challenges we'll face during future missions to the Moon and beyond. In this episode we speak with ESA Science Officer Aidan Cowley about Spaceship EAC, building Moon bases with regolith, how he found his way to space and 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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 been conducting science for researchers on Earth for over 20 years.  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,...

ESA research and payloads programme coordinator coordinator Jennifer Ngo-Ahn 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 3 March...

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.  Did Luca 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 is accepting applications for the role of Astronaut and...

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...