European Astronaut Corps
ESA unit selecting and training astronauts for ISS missions.
The European Astronaut Corps is the astronaut branch of the European Space Agency (ESA), tasked with selecting and training crew members for American and Russian space missions. Its headquarters are at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, and it currently counts 13 active astronauts qualified for service on the International Space Station (ISS). These astronauts may be assigned to work at various locations, including ESA’s ESTEC facility in Europe, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, or Russia’s Star City.
As of 2024, the corps has eleven active members. Five were chosen in 2009, one in 2015, and five more in 2022. All current members except the 2022 group have flown to space and visited the ISS. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet holds the record for the most time in space among the corps—396 days, 11 hours, and 34 minutes—and also holds the all-time record for any European astronaut. Samantha Cristoforetti, another corps member, previously held the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman.
The 2009 group was recruited after ESA’s director general announced a new selection in April 2008. The application process opened in May 2008, with nearly 10,000 people registering. Of these, 8,413 met the initial criteria, 918 proceeded to psychological testing, and 192 advanced to a second round. After medical evaluations in early 2009, about 40 candidates were interviewed to select four new astronauts.
The 2022 group was recruited over 2021–22, adding five career astronauts and, for the first time, a reserve pool of 11 candidates, plus a person with a physical disability through a “parastronaut feasibility project.” In June 2023, reserve astronaut Marcus Wandt was chosen for an Axiom Space mission and became a “project” astronaut. Polish reserve astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski later followed a similar path. NASA and Russia currently plan to end ISS funding in 2030, but ESA’s involvement in NASA’s Orion program will secure three flight opportunities for European astronauts to the Lunar Gateway.
Eighteen former members have left the corps. Some ESA astronauts were originally selected by other European agencies and joined the corps in 1998. The heads of the European Astronaut Centre have all been retired or active astronauts.
European astronauts have also flown outside ESA. Ten Europeans participated in the Soviet Union’s Interkosmos program, flying t
- established
- 1998 (some former members enrolled from other European agencies)
- headquarters
- European Astronaut Centre, Cologne, Germany
- active_members_as_of_2024
- 11
- total_active_members
- 13
- record_holder_most_time_in_space
- Thomas Pesquet (396 days, 11 hours, 34 minutes)
- former_record_holder_longest_spaceflight
- Samantha Cristoforetti
Lore & Background
The European Astronaut Corps was formed as a unit of the European Space Agency. Its members have flown on U.S. Space Shuttle missions, Russian Soyuz vehicles to Mir, and the International Space Station. The corps includes astronauts selected in 2009, 2015, and 2022, with five career astronauts added in the 2022 group, along with a reserve pool and a parastronaut feasibility project. Former members include 18 individuals, some of whom were originally selected by other European agencies and enrolled in 1998.
Reader's Guide
The European Astronaut Corps represents ESA's primary human spaceflight capability, providing crew for ISS missions and future Lunar Gateway flights through NASA's Orion programme. Its members have accumulated significant flight experience, with Thomas Pesquet holding the European record for most time in space. The corps has evolved through multiple selection rounds, including a 2022 group that introduced a reserve pool and a parastronaut project. ESA's involvement with the Orion programme secures three flight opportunities to the Lunar Gateway. The corps' history includes participation in Interkosmos, Space Shuttle, and Mir missions, reflecting Europe's long-standing collaboration in human space exploration.
Did You Know?
- As of 2024, there are eleven active members of the European Astronaut Corps.
- Thomas Pesquet is the member who has accumulated the most time in space with 396 days, 11 hours, and 34 minutes.
- The 2022 ESA Astronaut Group added five career astronauts and, for the first time, a reserve pool of 11 candidates and a parastronaut feasibility project.
- ESA will receive three flight opportunities for European astronauts to the Lunar Gateway thanks to involvement with NASA's Orion programme.
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