ESA Astronaut Class of 2022: Astro Chat with Sara García Alonso

Meet Aleš Svoboda— A skilled pilot with over 1500 flight hours, Aleš holds a PhD in aircraft and rocket technology and has commanded Quick Reaction Alerts. From flying high to training underwater, he’s always ready to take on new challenges—now including astronaut reserve training with ESA. In this miniseries, we take you on a journey through the ESA Astronaut Reserve, diving into the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany. Our “ARTists” are immersing themselves in everything from ESA and the International Space Station programme to the European space industry and institutions. They’re gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, alongside human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival training. ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training programme is all about building Europe’s next generation of space explorers—preparing them for the opportunities of future missions in Earth orbit and beyond. This interview was recorded in November 2024. You can listen to this episode on all major podcast platforms. Keep exploring with ESA Explores!

Meet Amelie Schoenenwald— biotechnologist, business expert, and PhD in structural biology. Whether in the lab or the great outdoors, she thrives in extreme environments, ready to embrace the adventure of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve. In this miniseries, we take you on a journey through the ESA Astronaut Reserve, diving into the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany. Our “ARTists” are immersing themselves in everything from ESA and the International Space Station programme to the European space industry and institutions. They’re gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, alongside human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival training. ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training programme is all about building Europe’s next generation of space explorers—preparing them for the opportunities of future missions in Earth orbit and beyond. This interview was recorded in November 2024. Learn more about Amelie’s favourite space mission Rosetta. Keep exploring with ESA Explores!

Meet Arnaud Prost—aerospace engineer, professional diver, and member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve. From flying aircraft to getting a taste of spacewalk simulation, his passion for exploration knows no bounds. In this miniseries, we take you on a journey through the ESA Astronaut Reserve, diving into the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany. Our “ARTists” are immersing themselves in everything from ESA and the International Space Station programme to the European space industry and institutions. They’re gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, alongside human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival training. ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training programme is all about building Europe’s next generation of space explorers—preparing them for the opportunities of future missions in Earth orbit and beyond. This interview was recorded in November 2024. Keep exploring with ESA Explores!

Meet Andrea Patassa—test pilot, aviator, passionate outdoor adventurer, and Member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve.  In this miniseries, we take you on a journey through the ESA Astronaut Reserve, diving into the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany. Our “ARTists” are immersing themselves in everything from ESA and the International Space Station programme to the European space industry and institutions. They’re gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, alongside human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival training.  ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training programme is all about building Europe’s next generation of space explorers—preparing them for the opportunities of future missions in Earth orbit and beyond.  This interview was recorded in November 2024. 

Meet Sara García Alonso — biotechnologist, cancer researcher, passionate science communicator and member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve. She’s our first guest in this miniseries, where we dive into the journey of the ESA Astronaut Reserve and explore the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC). Here, our “ARTists” are learning all about ESA and the International Space Station programme, the European space industry and institutions, and gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, as well as human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival skills. This interview was recorded in November 2024. Find out more about Sara: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Sara_Garcia_Alonso Check out the ESA Astronaut Reserve Training programme: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/The_ART_of_training

Swiss round: Get ready for an inspiring episode as we bring together Marco Sieber, from ESA’s newest astronaut class, and Claude Nicollier, a pioneer from ESA’s first astronaut group in 1978. Both from Switzerland, they dive into their astronaut training experiences, how space missions have evolved, and which Moon they’d love to explore. Their passion for space is contagious – this episode is a must-listen! This is Episode 11 of our ESA Explores podcast series, delving into everything you want to know about the ESA astronaut class of 2022. Recorded in December 2023. Find out more about Marco: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Marco_Alain_Sieber About Claude: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Claude_Nicollier About the ESA astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ Glossary: EAC - European Astronaut Centre, EVA - Extravehicular Activity Host and audio editing by Laura Zurmühlen, featuring music by Denzel Lorge and cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

Join us with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer as we explore LUNA – our state-of-the-art Moon analogue facility located next to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. A joint project between ESA and DLR, LUNA is designed to simulate the lunar surface and will train astronauts and support a wide range of research and technology development for future missions to the Moon and beyond. This is the first episode of our ESA Explores podcast series diving into everything you want to know about the activities at ESA's European Astronaut Centre. Recorded in August 2024. Find out more about LUNA here: Home - Luna Analog Facility (luna-analog-facility.de) More about the Artemis programme: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion Glossary: DLR - Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center), EAC - European Astronaut Centre, EMU - Extravehicular Mobility Unit, EVA - Extravehicular Activity, NBF - Neutral Buoyancy Facility, NBL - Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory Host and audio editing by Laura Zurmühlen, featuring music by Denzel Lorge.

Sławosz is an ESA project astronaut currently preparing for a future mission to the International Space Station at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Germany. We spoke to him about his training, a first space suit check, his passion for science and engineering, as well as his view on missions forward to the Moon. This is Episode 10 of our ESA Explores podcast series, delving into everything you want to know about the ESA astronaut class of 2022. Recorded in March 2024. Find out more about Sławosz: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Slawosz_Uznanski About the ESA astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ About ESA within the Artemis programme: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion Glossary: AsCan - Astronaut Candidate, EAC - European Astronaut Centre, ESTEC - European Space Research and Technology Centre,  EVA - Extravehicular Activity Host and audio editing by Laura Zurmühlen, featuring music by Denzel Lorge and cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

John McFall, a member of the European astronaut reserve from the ESA astronaut class of 2022, brings a diverse background to his role. With experience as an orthopaedic and trauma surgeon and a former Paralympic sprinter, John is participating in the groundbreaking "Fly!" feasibility study. This initiative seeks to enhance our comprehension of the challenges posed by space flight for astronauts with physical disabilities, aiming to overcome these barriers. Tune in to discover more about John and the "Fly!" project. This is Episode 9 of our ESA Explores podcast series, delving into everything you want to know about the ESA astronaut class of 2022. Recorded in November 2023. Find out more about John: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/John_McFall  About the ESA astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ Glossary: AsCan - astronaut candidate, CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation, EAC - European Astronaut Centre, EVA - Extravehicular Activity, LEO - low Earth orbit Hosted by Laura Zurmühlen, with audio editing and music by Denzel Lorge, and cover art by Gaël Nadaud.

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, an experienced spaceflyer, spacewalker, and former ISS commander, shares insights into his role as head of astronaut operations at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre. Tune in as he talks with us about guiding the next generation of astronauts through training and preparing them for their future in space exploration. This is Episode 8 of our ESA Explores podcast series, delving into everything you want to know about the ESA astronaut class of 2022. Recorded in April 2024. Find out more about Alexander: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Alexander_Gerst About the ESA astronaut class of 2022: https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/category/astronauts2022/esa-astronaut-candidates/ About astronaut operations at EAC: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/EAC/Operations Glossary: AsCan - Astronaut Candidate, EAC - European Astronaut Centre, EUROCOM - European Communicator and Medical Operations, EVA - Extravehicular Activity Host and audio editing by Laura Zurmühlen, featuring music by Denzel Lorge and cover art by Gaël Nadaud.