Belgian Raphaël Liégeois graduates as European astronaut
The new batch of European astronauts including new Belgian astronaut Raphaël Liégeois graduated today. Now that they have completed their basic training, they will be assigned to a space mission and train specifically for it. In all likelihood, this will be a mission to the ISS, the International Space Station.
Liégeois has completed his basic training and received his diploma at the European Space Agency's astronaut training centre in Cologne (Germany) this morning. "This was always my dream, but I never expected it to come true," Liégeois said after receiving his 'ESA astronaut' certificate.
Liégeois, who is to become the third Belgian in space, spoke of his predecessors Dirk Frimout and Frank De Winne during the graduation ceremony. "I think my dream of becoming an astronaut started when I first saw Frank go into space, maybe even earlier, with our first Belgian astronaut Dirk Frimout."
Liégeois is not graduating alone, France’s Sophie Adenot, Spain’s Pablo Alvarez Fernandez, Britain’s Rosemary Coogan and Switzerland’s Marco Sieber are also joining him. The class was named 'The Hoppers', a name chosen by the batch of astronauts who went before them.
About a year ago the five emerged from a selection of 22,500 candidates as the new batch of future ESA astronauts. A further 12 reserve astronauts were also selected. They too received the same basic training.
Literally immersed
That basic training is very intensive and lasts some 14 months. During the training the astronauts are completely immersed in everything to do with space travel. Literally too, as, for example, they also learned to dive.
"Anyone who ever has to do a spacewalk has to have a diving licence," Frank De Winne explained at the start of the training. De Winne was the second Belgian in space and now heads ESA's training centre.
"Learning how to behave underwater is part of the basic skills you need to do a spacewalk," De Winne added. "The basic training gives a general idea of what it is like to be an astronaut and all the tasks you have to do in space."
Besides diving, there are also a lot of other space simulations, such as spin rides to simulate high G- or gravitational forces during rocket launches. And gravity-free flights are also meant to give candidates a taste of the challenges that await them in space.
Lots of science
In addition, the astronauts also gained a lot of theoretical knowledge. For instance, they attended science and engineering classes on space technology, engineering science, aerodynamics and materials science. Robotics is also an important part of the training.
Astronauts also have to conduct scientific experiments in space, so they need basic knowledge of biology, chemistry and medicine. They are also trained to work together and survive in difficult conditions.
Not (yet) going to the moon
Now that the brand-new astronauts have their diplomas, the real work begins. Soon, they will be assigned to a mission and have to undergo specific education and training for it, so that they are well prepared.
"Our eyes are now fixed on the stars," Liégeois says. "We are ready to take the skills and knowledge we have gained and apply them to the challenges ahead."
ESA wants to put the first European on the moon by 2030. In all likelihood, it will probably not be someone from this batch. "The candidates for the lunar flights will be those who have already been on the ISS," ESA chief Josef Aschbacher explained.
For now, the 5 new astronauts will be assigned to missions on the ISS, to carry out scientific experiments there. When exactly that will be, will be announced later. So, it is only a matter of time before Liégeois effectively becomes the third Belgian in space.