Become an ESA Astronaut — Requirements for Space Travel
The wildest job in the universe: Become part of the crew and make space your new office!
Views are my own.
Find out all about the most exclusive job in the universe — the only one where you can actually leave the earth! So discover what it means to become an astronaut. Ready to join the crew?
⚠️ This information refers to the ESA application process, based on official sources. The requirements may change at any time and the Asronaut program is not permanently open to applicants. Please always check the official website to make sure you don’t miss anything.
As soon as ESA publishes an official vacancy notice for astronauts, you will find it here:
If no position is currently available, 0 results will appear.
👩🚀 Open positions as an ESA astronaut →
Other space organizations like NASA have their own special processes. Be sure to check the respective website:
Astronaut: An extreme application process
You’ve checked out Spring Week in London and Frankfurt and thought investment banking or medicine had the toughest selection processes? Then the astronaut application process is definitely on another level! According to ESA, the numbers are also out of this world:
More than 23,000 people applied to the last call in 2021: (…) This greatly exceeded ESA’s most optimistic forecasts and is (…) a very positive sign of interest in space travel.
We must not forget that this profession is extremely unique in itself and requires rigorous training: Astronauts are among the most outstanding specialists of our time. Who doesn’t admire them? Although they are — rightfully — celebrated as superheroes, they are actuallybrilliant scientists.
They are highly qualified and well trained to go on missions that are important for humanity as a whole. They are not just floating around the space station waving, as you often see on TV, but testing the limits of the human body in space, advancing groundbreaking scientific research, promoting technological innovation and exploring the mysteries of the universe. They also maintain the space station and control the capsules. They represent all of us and work in the most extreme conditions imaginable: their job is life-threatening.
Nevertheless, the idea of one day being part of this mission yourself is a lifelong dream and inspiring for anyone who really wants to achieve great things. If you enjoy working on many different projects, a job as a consultant on Earth might also be interesting. Find events and jobs on the Instagram accounts of BCG, McKinsey, Bain & more!
Requirements to apply as an astronaut
Before you make your way to the launch pad, there are a few important qualifications that you should meet.
ESA is looking for versatile crew members who can stay cool in critical moments while remaining team players and efficient even under extreme pressure and in challenging environments.
You should meet the following requirements:
↕️ Height
1.50–1.90cm due to the technical specifications.
👵🏽 Age
Max. 50 years
🚗 Driving license
Either already available or willing to get one.
🎓 Degree
Completed Master’s degree in engineering, medicine, mathematics, natural sciences, computer science or similar fields. A PhD or additional Master’s degree is particularly appreciated (not a must, but an asset). A degree as a test pilot and/or test engineer from the following institutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis: EPNER (France), ETPS (England), USAF TPS (US Air Force) and USNTPS (US Navy).
💼 Professional experience
At least 3 years, e.g. working in a laboratory, research activities or working in a hospital.
💬 Language skills
English is mandatory. If you want to improve your English, you could take a short course in London, e.g. at UAL. In addition, further language skills, especially other EU languages or even Russian, are a real boost for your application. Space agencies have always worked closely together, for example with Roskosmos.
🤺 Physical resilience and commitment
The physical demands range from running and heavy lifting to working in extreme weather conditions. A real challenge that can also be fun.
🤿 Readiness to swim or dive
Astronauts are sometimes underwater for up to 8 hours with a spacesuit or heavy diving equipment. In the first month of training there is already a swimming test. Existing skills in diving and swimming are a plus.
🤢 Flight resistance for zero gravity
Astronauts go through simulated gravity-free conditions during parabolic flights, i.e. special training that prepares you for the feeling of “zero gravity”. Here you need a stable nervous system and stomach.
🌋 Risk management
…under extreme conditions. Those who already have experience here, e.g. in remote locations, can score points.
🏓 Ability to work in a team
Whether in a club or management position, remember all situations that emphasize your ability to work in a team. Because space is not a place for soft nerves!
These are only rough guidelines, which can of course change constantly. There are still many key factors, especially in the medical field. Discussions are already underway as to whether smaller people or people with disabilities will soon be allowed to fly into space. The exact requirements will be specified in the position as soon as the search for astronauts continues.
The application is already challenging, but then comes the real astronaut training. Make the leap into space only if you are ready for it!
Application documents as an astronaut
You should submit the following documents during the process:
1. CV/Resumé in Europass format
To do this, you must create a profile on the official Europass website:
Attention: Please use this CV format for the ESA, but NEVER for other jobs in the business world! Honestly, don’t do it. The format and some data records could even have a negative impact on your application to companies. But in this particular case, you might have to chew the fat since it’s a European organization and they would reject you otherwise. Here are 5 CV myths you should avoid with a regular CV.
2. Cover letter
ESA advises you to be brief and precise in your cover letter and to tailor it to the requirements of the position — phew, that’s nothing new at first. In theory, you can do without a cover letter these days, but not if you want to become an ESA astronaut. You should therefore allocate enough time for this. In business, it is even an advantage not to send a cover letter, as it is often not filtered by the software. Find out why you should not submit a cover letter despite AI and how you can position yourself in the best possible way instead.
3. Copy of the passport
According to the ESA, only applications from nationals of an ESA member state or an associated member state could be considered in 2021. These include: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the United Kingdom as well as Slovenia, Latvia and Lithuania.
4. Medical certificate from an approved aviation physician
This should confirm your fitness to fly. More specifically, you should be physically fit for a private pilot license or higher (“European Part-MED, Class 2 (Private Pilot) medical certificate”). Of course, you do NOT need a pilot’s license. The requirements of the British CAA, the Canadian CAR and the American FAA for private pilots are also accepted. But dear ESA, wouldn’t it be fairer if applicants didn’t have to obtain this certificate themselves, but only sent those of you who are further advanced in the process to a flight physician?
5. Completed questionnaire
“Questionnaire” as part of the application. By the way, there are always many fields in normal applications that you don’t actually have to fill in. As an astronaut, you should of course not skip anything.
It’s essential to follow all requirements closely, even if it feels time-consuming or a bit tedious at times. Your application will not be considered if you do not submit the required documents completely and on time. You should therefore start preparing early.
Application process as an astronaut
Submitting the specific documents is just the beginning of a complex process. As it’s one of the most demanding jobs in the world, many more steps follow:
- Screening
- Psychological tests
- Practical and psychometric tests
- Medical selection
- Interview round 1 & background check
- Interview round 2
- Appointment or notification of the outcome of the process. Final candidates may be placed in a candidate pool.
Becoming an astronaut is certainly not an easy spacewalk, but it is one of the most exciting journeys you can imagine! If you are ready to look beyond the horizon, learn new things and no challenge is too great for you, then you should definitely take the plunge and apply to ESA. Who knows, maybe you’ll soon be floating in a spacesuit with a view of the stars and taking humanity a little (or a lot) further?
If you still have doubts, but it’s your dream and you meet the requirements: make sure you apply! Only then will you have a chance. No matter how slim it is, you will learn something in the process and have something to talk about for the rest of your life. After all, astronauts are very rarely wanted and you never know when the next opportunity will be.
To be precise, ESA only recruited astronauts three times between 1978 and 2008. But several at once in 2021.
Even if it doesn’t work out or this particular career is simply not for you, there are many other jobs that work directly with astronauts or are involved in space research. From engineering to communications, the list is long. So always have a look at the ESA careers pages. Good news: although these application procedures are also demanding, they are not as tough as those for astronauts.
It would also be wonderful to see more women in space! Maybe this article will inspire the next female astronaut. By the way, ESA also offers an annual Girl’s Day for schoolgirls interested in space and STEM careers. So… 3, 2, 1. Lift off your career!🚀
🎨 Free CV / Resumé Template on Figma (NOT Europass)
For a job in the private sector, feel free to use this CV: Successfully shared with mentees for years, NYCHE CareeraCard® template users landed interviews at McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Google, Deloitte, and more.
🔗 Patricia’s CV/Resumé Template →
Figma offers free plans and special student access. What are you waiting for?
💜 Feedback & Questions
I‘d love to hear from you! Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Or follow me on read.cv
If you liked this story, please leave a clap 👏
