What qualities does the European Space Agency want in an astronaut? Marina Murphyfinds out.
IRISH SCIENTISTS WILL get the chance to apply for what must be the most sought-after job in the Universe. European Space Agency personnel are here today as part of a campaign to recruit astronauts to join the European Astronaut Corps.
Applicants must be competent in biology, chemistry, physics or medicine and have an outstanding professional background in research, application or education. But being a brilliant scientist isn't good enough. It would help to be an engineer or a pilot of some sort as well, and speaking Russian would be a bonus.
You must also have an excellent memory, concentration and reasoning abilities, be a team player, in excellent physical condition and aged between 27 and 37, although some exceptions may be allowed. If you think you measure up, you must have a completed application form submitted by June 15th.
One Irish scientist who definitely will be applying is Michelle McKeon-Bennett, currently head of the department of applied science at the Limerick Institute of Technology. And she certainly has an impressive CV.
Her research interest is in hydroponics, growing plants without soil, for long-duration spaceflight. "I have been working directly with Kennedy Space Centre, Nasa, Florida since my one year research sabbatical in 2003," she says.
"Next week one of the main Nasa researchers I worked with is visiting us for a week with the aim of setting up our own research centre in Ireland to work with Nasa and ESA on Life Science projects. I have a long way to go yet, but hopefully, my track record will stand to me," she says.
Those in the know say she's an excellent candidate. "We certainly think she has a good shot at it," says Bryan Rodgers, at Enterprise Ireland, which manages Ireland's role in ESA's programmes.
"It would be very exciting to have an Irish astronaut, but it is not clear how far ESA will allow applicants from countries that are not signed up to manned flight missions to go through the selection process. There are those who think we should sign up, but the big problem is the expense," Rodgers says.
ESA plans to add four astronauts and four backups to the Corps. About 1,000 of the 20,000-30,000 applicants are expected to pass the first test, a psychological filtering step. They will then be put through a battery of medical tests and the 40 or so individuals expected to get this far will be invited to a formal interview before an ESA selection board.
Applicants admitted to the Corps will be announced in 2009, and the first flights are expected to take place in 2012. The current recruitment drive is directed at preparing the ISS for a full six-man operation and initiating human exploration of the moon and Mars.
The first ESA astronaut selection was in 1978, which prepared astronauts for the Spacelab missions in 1983. The second selection was in 1992.
Applicants from any of the 17 ESA member states, of which Ireland is one, are eligible to apply. Candidates can also apply at www.esa.int/astronautselection.