Thomas Pesquet, in addition to being a recognized astronaut, is a very good communicator, we saw him on his social networks where he posts photos and videos daily during his missions. Inevitably it awakens vocations : The European Space Agency (ESA) received a record number of applications to recruit future astronauts: 22,500, including Fabien.
He works at the CNES (National Center for Space Studies) in Toulouse, on satellites, and he recognizes it, the work and the media coverage of Thomas Pesquet have, in part, encouraged him to get started. “I had the opportunity to see him at work, he says, he had come to make a presentation. I found what he had to say very interesting. I follow him on the networks, on Instagram. The fact that he is French, it really mediated the thing and I think that’s what made me take the leap.”
ESA is looking for hero-astronauts
Recruitment started a year ago, there are now less than 400 still in the running. A long processbecause the mission that awaits them is daunting, as explained by Didier Schmitt, head of strategy for manned and robotic space exploration at the European Space Agency (ESA).
“These astronauts there, in the next decade are going to go on the moon ! We really want people who have the makings of heroes, he explains. They will have much greater challenges than going to the station and coming back, which we have been able to do now for more than 20 years. The moon is still 400,000 km from here !”
The candidates are currently undergoing the medical selection, the finalists will have two interviews left. In the end, alone four or six astronauts will be engaged.
Thomas Pesquet at the Cité de l’Espace
Thomas Pesquet is in Toulouse, he will give a conference at the Cité de l’Espace this Friday. A return to the roots for the star astronaut who studied engineering in the pink city: at ISAE-Supaéro. He will return to the highlights of his second mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
He will answer questions, the discussion is open to the public, but on registration required. The conference is already full. If you have your place, the appointment is given from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a lot of people, so the Cité de l’espace recommends arriving at 3 p.m.