ESA Explores – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of our Time and Space series on the ESA Explores podcast! Join us in commemorating the 40th anniversary of Spacelab's maiden flight, a pivotal moment in European space history. We're thrilled to chat with Ulf Merbold, ESA's first astronaut in space, as we reflect on 40 years of space exploration. Explore his remarkable journey—from pioneering missions to his vision for the future of space exploration.

Audio editing by Denzel Lorge.

Additional content:

Find out more about Ulf here or listen to our episode: Time and space: ESA’s first astronaut | ESA Explores (podbean.com).

Read more about the 40-year anniversary of Spacelab-1 and discover Spacelab-1’s enduring legacy and its impact on future space exploration here: ESA – Spacelab to Gateway: 40 years of modules for people in space.

ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer will soon be launched to the International Space Station for a six-month stay in orbit. In this podcast, he talks about his training, the differences he's found between the Russian and American spacesuits, the role of the new European Robotic Arm (ERA), whether he's packed, science and what he's most looking forward to during his Cosmic Kiss mission.

Note: this episode was recorded just prior to the launch of Russia's new MLM module, which travelled to the Station on 21 July with ERA attached to its back. Matthias is scheduled to launch as a member of Crew-3 in a SpaceX Crew Dragon no earlier than 31 October 2021. 

ESA astronaut André Kuipers first encountered the European Robotic Arm (ERA) on paper, when it was intended for a proposed spaceplane called Hermes. Many iterations later, this European-built robot will soon be launched to the International Space Station – its new home in orbit. In this episode André shares how he trained with ERA underwater in Moscow, Russia and talks us through its features from an astronaut's perspective. The launch will be streamed live on ESA Web TV: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/ESA_Web_TV 

The European Robotic Arm (ERA) is set for launch to the International Space Station in July 2021, where it will provide access to the exterior of the Russian segment and support future space walks. Ahead of its launch, we caught up with ESA ERA project manager Philippe Schoonejans. Philippe shares more about this dexterous 11 m long robot, what it enables, and its journey from Europe to space in a tale of international partnership and perseverance. 

This episode is the first in a series covering the European Robotic Arm. Stay tuned for an astronaut's perspective in our next episode with ESA astronaut André Kuipers. 

For more on ESA's human and robotic exploration activities follow us on Twitter @esaspaceflight or visit blogs.esa.int/exploration

Loredana Bessone is preparing astronauts to explore other planets through innovative training on Earth. In this episode of astronaut selection series, she shares how astronauts train in underground caves and in different geological locations to develop their skills for the International Space Station and beyond, and how she came to train space explorers. 

ESA is currently accepting applications for the first astronaut selection in 11 years. But hurry! Applications close 18 June 2021. Visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace for more information and to apply. 

A team of students and young professionals from across Europe are exploring innovative solutions to some of the biggest challenges we'll face as we go forward to the Moon and beyond. In this episode we speak with Science Officer for ESA Aidan Cowley about an initiative called Spaceship EAC, building Moon bases with regolith, and his advice for the next generation. 

This episode is part of our space careers series developed for ESA's 2021 astronaut selection. Due to Lithuania's new status as an ESA Associate Member, the deadline for astronaut applications has been extended to 18 June 2021. Read more about the selection process and find #YourWayToSpace at esa.int/yourwaytospace

In the final episode of our Time and Space series, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker talks us through Europe's next steps into space. We hear about ESA's three exploration destinations: the International Space Station, the Moon and Mars and get a feel for what it might be like to travel to the Gateway – a planned space station around the Moon. 

As a member of the instructor training team for ESA's European Astronaut Centre, Misbahur Rehman-Saad puts astronauts and flight control teams through their paces. In this episode, he talks more about the role of flight directors and ground support teams that keep the International Space Station running smoothly, as well as training astronauts from ESA and its partner agencies on the European Columbus laboratory's systems and hardware. 

Misbah knows firsthand, that perseverance pays off. Tune in to his story, as we look ahead to the selection of new ESA astronauts in 2021. 

Note: the deadline to apply to ESA's astronaut selection is 28 May 2021. If you're even considering applying, don't delay. Visit esa.int/YourWayToSpace for more information.