The European space chiefs have launched their first recruitment drive for new astronauts after 11 years, especially encouraging women and differently-abled people to join missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars. The European Space Agency (ESA) also said that it was looking to increase its crews’ diversity as it canvassed up to 26 permanent and reserve astronauts.
The ESA said that they expect a “very high number” of applications to come in during the eight-week recruitment drive from 31 March and said candidates would have to endure a stringent selection process lasting until October 2022.
“Candidates need to be mentally prepared for this process,” Lucy van der Tas, ESA head of talent acquisition, said at a media conference.
