Space travel is reserved for the elite few. While SpaceX gears up for its first space tourism mission by late 2021, the European Space Agency (ESA) is launching its first astronaut recruitment campaign since 2011.
Countless people dream of experiencing life in space, yet only a select handful are chosen. One path is SpaceX's charity contest, which opened applications on February 1, 2021. By year's end, three lucky winners will join Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments, aboard the Dragon capsule. Isaacman, the mission's primary funder and first space tourist, is gifting the other seats.
Thrilling as a SpaceX flight sounds, becoming a professional astronaut unlocks even greater possibilities. In a February 8, 2021 press release, ESA announced plans to recruit new astronauts. Starting March 31, select candidates will enter the agency's world-class training program.
Entry into ESA training is a major milestone, though not a guaranteed flight. The demanding selection process weeds out most applicants. The 2011 campaign required at least a master's degree (Bac+5) in physics, chemistry, biology, or mathematics, plus fluency in English—essential for collaborating with international teams.
Top-tier physical fitness is non-negotiable. Astronauts must endure G-forces from 4G during launch to much higher in emergencies, plus microgravity's toll: bone density loss and muscle atrophy. Candidates need exceptional conditioning to thrive in orbit and recover post-mission.
Finally, mental resilience is key—think Thomas Pesquet's caliber. ESA demands astronauts who can master stress and excel in any crisis.
