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The European Space Agency (Esa) is looking for astronauts — The registration process is open for romanian citizens

on 16 February 2021

For the first time in 11 years, the European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for new astronauts. The Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) invites all romanian who meet the selection criteria to apply. The recruitment process is available for Romanian candidates due to the fact that our country is an ESA Member State.

The vacancy runs from 31 March to 28 May 2021. ESA will only consider applications submitted to the ESA Career website within those eight weeks. After that, the six-stage selection process will start, which is expected to be completed in October 2022.

The application deadline was extended until 18 June. More details at this link.

”Being an astronaut is a dream came true. It brings together many of my passions: science and technology, complex machines, demanding operational environments, international teams, physical fitness, public outreach. And of course, occasionally you get to ride a rocket to work!", said ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, talking about the many future possibilities. 

Astronauts conduct scientific experiments, support the development of new technologies, test the human body limits and explore the Universe in extreme conditions. The candidates who wish to apply must meet a number of requirements:

  • Have an exceptional professional training and a history of outstanding results during their studies. 

  • Candidates who hold the minimum of a Master’s degree and at least three years of professional experience are eligible.

  • Some of the most common astronaut career fields are: aerospace engineering, aviation, various fields of engineering, mathematics-physics, natural sciences, medicine, cybernetics, without the list being exhaustive.

The complete list with the selection criteria can be found on the website for the potential candidates. 

“Humanity is preparing for human and robotic exploration missions. Namely, we are talking about missions to the Moon and later to Mars. Identifying a new generation of astronauts is essential today in order to prepare us for tomorrow's missions,” declares the President of the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA), PhD Marius-Ioan Piso.

“Romania is involved in European space exploration programs, while also developing collaborations with international partners, such as collaboration for NASA-initiated Moon exploration missions with human crew. Romania is a regional leader in the space field and it is necessary to maintain and develop this position because the future is in space, an area where investments bring technological, scientific, economic development and talent of the highest level, a progress that later generates benefits for the whole society ", continued the President of ROSA.

In 2021, Romania celebrates 40 years since the flight of the first and only romanian cosmonaut, Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu.

“The experience of space activities that Romania carried out 40 years ago, peaking with the flight of the first Romanian in space, was the foundation on which Romania built international collaborations these years, while consolidating its role as a space nation. I hope that after this campaign I can pass on the torch to the next Romanian astronaut, who will represent Romania in future space exploration missions” said Mr. Prunariu. 

At national level, the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) will lead an information campaign in order to attract the best Romanian candidates.

“At the level of both the European Space Agency and the ROSA, we also want to increase the number of applications from women qualified for this position. Also, through The European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) Romania Romania, we will use this opportunity to attract children and young people to STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) since the space offers many career opportunities, from astronauts, researchers and engineers to jurists”, said Oana Sandu, the coordinator of the communication campaign in Romania.

For more details about the campaign and other activities, please visit the website YourWayToSpace and the ROSA website. The selection process will open on 31 March on Careers at ESA.

Image credit: ESA