https://spacewatch.global/tag/esa-astronaut/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:27:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/esa-astronaut/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/international-space-summit-meganne-christian-on-europes-astronaut-corps-and-the-road-to-rome/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77617 From the International Space Summit in Paris, ESA reserve astronaut Meganne Christian joins Laura Todd to discuss Europe's push for autonomous access to space, the road to December's exploration ministerial in Rome, her own training journey, and why in-orbit manufacturing is a capability worth backing.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/07/thomas-pesquet-first-esa-astronaut-to-ride-a-dragon-to-space/ Wed, 29 Jul 2020 08:00:32 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=24575 ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet has officially been assigned to the second operational flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, launching in spring 2021 from Cape Canaveral, USA, to the International Space Station.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/01/spacewatchgl-interviews-dr-matthias-maurer-of-european-space-agency/ Sat, 11 Jan 2020 09:00:46 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=18447 Strong technical skills and outstanding physical abilities are just some of the qualities space agencies look at during the astronaut selection process. But is that all? Let’s agree that if it was only about physical performance, we would probably resort to robots and AI. Yet, space agencies spend millions on astronaut training programs, making sure they are sending the best candidates for the job. SpaceWatch.Globals Valerie Vlasenko asked ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer what are the most important skills that astronauts need to possess.]]>