The press release is reproduced below:

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov

Kylie Clem
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
kylie.s.clem@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 07-196

NASA Opens Applications for New Astronaut Class
HOUSTON - NASA is accepting applications for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class. Those selected could fly to space for long-duration stays on the International Space Station and missions to the moon.

"We look forward to gathering applications and then being able to select from the largest pool possible," said Ellen Ochoa, NASA's chief of Flight Crew Operations at the Johnson Space Center. "Continuing our impressive record in successfully carrying out challenging human spaceflight missions depends on maintaining a talented and diverse astronaut corps."

To be considered, a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft.

Teaching experience, including work at the kindergarten through 12th grade level, is considered qualifying. Educators with the appropriate educational background are encouraged to apply.

After a six-month period of evaluation and interviews, NASA will announce final selections in early 2009. Astronaut candidates will report to Johnson in the summer of 2009 to begin the basic training program to prepare them for future spaceflight assignments.

NASA will accept applications through July 1, 2008. To apply visit:



Additional information about the Astronaut Candidate Program is available by calling the Astronaut Selection Office at 281-483-5907 or by visiting:


Source: NASA Press Release 07-196

Longueuil, Quebec, March 31, 2008 – The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry Canada and the Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), announced at the Agency headquarters today that the CSA will begin a national astronaut recruitment campaign at the end of May 2008, to select astronauts to join its Canadian Astronaut Corps.

"Canadians are inspired when they see our astronauts in space, and they will be proud to learn that even more Canadian astronauts are about to be recruited," said Minister Prentice. "I am pleased to join the Canadian Space Agency to announce this new national astronaut recruitment campaign. By May 2009, two astronaut candidates will be selected and will begin their training to represent Canada in future space exploration missions."

Those selected by the Canadian Space Agency will take part in long-duration spaceflights on the International Space Station. Among their tasks, astronauts will help assemble and maintain the Station and conduct scientific and industrial research enhancing our quality of life on Earth. "Canada's astronaut corps has been very successful. Our astronauts have flown in space 13 times in the last 24 years and two more flights have just been announced. This is an exciting career and we hope that many Canadians apply," said Guy Bujold, President of the Canadian Space Agency. "To continue successfully carrying out human spaceflight, we need to maintain a talented and capable Canadian Astronaut Corps."

The application process will open at the end of May 2008. To apply, candidates will complete an application form on the Canadian Space Agency Website. Detailed requirements will be posted on the Website when the application process begins.

After the period of evaluation and interviews, the Canadian Space Agency hopes to be in a position to announce final selections in May 2009. Two astronaut candidates will be selected. A pool of qualified candidates will also be created for service in the future. Astronaut candidates will report to Canadian Space Agency headquarters in Longueil, Quebec for a first round of training and then to NASA's Johnson Space Center to begin the basic training program that will prepare them for future spaceflight assignments.

About the Canadian Space Agency

Established in 1989, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) coordinates all civil, space-related policies and programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. CSA directs its resources and activities through four key thrusts: Earth Observation, Space Science and Exploration, Satellite Communications, and Space Awareness and Learning. By leveraging international cooperation, the CSA generates world-class scientific research and industrial development for the benefit of humanity.

Information:
CSA Media Relations Office
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: (450) 926-4370

Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of Industry
Telephone: (613) 995-9001

Source: CSA Press Release

Let's go to space and explore the future!
Accepting applications for Japanese astronaut candidates from April 1



JAXA is recruiting new Japanese astronaut candidates for the first time in 10 years. The candidates are expected to stay at the International Space Station (ISS) for a prolonged period of time to engage in the operation and maintenance of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” and the ISS itself, as well as to be in charge of carrying out space utilization missions in various areas. Applications should be submitted between April 1 and June 20. We are looking for enthusiastic applicants who are willing to explore space frontiers and who will contribute to the welfare of mankind.

Source: JAXA

ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel completed his first ever spacewalk on 13 February 2008. The second spacewalk of the STS-122 Shuttle mission lasted six hours 45 minutes.

Shortly after the spacewalk officially started to 15:27 CET (14:27 UT), Schlegel and NASA astronaut Rex Walheim headed out of the International Space Station’s Quest Airlock. The spacewalkers main task was to replace a nitrogen tank used to pressurise the Station's ammonia cooling system. The replacement of the tank is part of regular Station maintenance. A new nitrogen tank was carried to ISS inside Atlantis’ payload bay.

Credits: ESA/NASA

10 April 2008
ESA PR 21-2008. With ESA astronauts working in the Columbus laboratory onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and the first of ESA’s new ATV cargo ships having delivered fresh supplies to the station, ESA’s human spaceflight activities have entered a new era. It is now time for ESA to seek out new talent to bolster its Astronaut Corps for future manned missions to the ISS, the Moon and beyond.

The European Space Agency entered the annals of human spaceflight for the first time in 1978 with its first astronaut selection, followed in 1983 by the first Spacelab mission. Preparations for ESA’s Columbus laboratory project, meanwhile, involved a second selection of astronauts in 1992.

The overall selection process will start on Monday 19 May and follow a by now well-established procedure:

1. Screening: the first step in the formal application will be online at _www.esa.int/astronautselection. Applicants will have to provide the same medical examination certificate as private pilots, the examination for which must be conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner certified by his/her national aviation medical authority. More about the medical certificate requirement »»
2. Two stages of psychological and professional aptitude evaluation, including behavioural and cognitive skills tests.
3. Medical evaluation: this process includes clinical examination by aero- medical physicians and clinical specialists, laboratory screening tests, and special procedures.
4. Formal interview: as potential ESA staff members, the astronaut candidates will go before an ESA selection board for further professional assessment.
5. The final appointments will be officially announced in 2009.

The selected candidates will then join the European Astronaut Corps and begin basic training at the European Astronaut Centre (ESA-EAC) in Cologne, Germany.

“We want to find high-calibre men and women in Europe to prepare to meet the challenges of ISS exploitation and human exploration of our solar system in the 21st century. As of May 2008, ESA will be searching in each of its 17 Member States for the best candidates to make this vision a reality,” says Michel Tognini, former astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Centre.

ISS and beyond



ESA is readying its teams to take part in the human spaceflight missions of the 21st century. The solar system is the next objective for human exploration, and the world's great industrial powers are taking steps to prepare for this vast undertaking. Possessing an operational astronaut corps is an essential strategic asset if Europe is to take part in this endeavour.



“Europe has long been involved in exploration, even before the days of Christopher Columbus,“ said Daniel Sacotte, ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration. “After exploring the Earth, space is the logical next step - and a new generation of explorers are needed to follow their illustrious predecessor Columbus and embark for those new worlds. I am therefore very pleased that at the beginning of 2009, we will be welcoming a new intake of men and women to the European Astronaut Corps to undertake missions to the ISS and beyond.”

ESA needs to regenerate the European Astronaut Corps, increasing its size in order to successfully accomplish its present and future programmes. The Agency has therefore decided to initiate this process of selecting new astronauts. Candidates from all 17 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) are welcome to apply.

Background in science and operations

ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, from Germany, during a training session inside the Soyuz TMA simulator at the Gagarin Training Center, also known as Zviezdny Gorodok ("Star City"), near Moscow, in July 2003, as part of his preparation for future long-duration flights to the International Space Station (ISS).

For this simulation, Thomas Reiter, alone in the module, sits in the commander's seat. He wears the Sokol pressure suit worn by the crew during launch and return phases.

A military test-pilot, Thomas Reiter was involved in ESA studies of the Hermes spaceplane and development of equipment for the Columbus module before he was selected to join the ESA Astronaut Corps in 1992. Selected for ESA's Euromir 95 mission, he began training in Zviezdny Gorodok in August 1993 and flew this record-breaking 179-day mission on the Mir space station from September 3, 1995 to February 29, 1996. He performed some 40 European scientific experiments, participated in the maintenance of the station and carried out two spacewalks.

In 1997, Thomas Reiter was certified as 'Soyuz Return Commander', a qualification that allows him to command a three-person Soyuz capsule during its return from space. He also worked with the European Robotic Arm development team at ESA.

After being detached for 18 months to the German Air Force, he returned to ESA in April 1999 and gave support to the Automatic Transfer Vehicle (ATV) development team. He also resumed training in Russia. Since April 2001, Thomas Reiter is assigned to the first ISS advanced training class to prepare for one of the first European long-term flights onboard the ISS.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja

“The ideal European astronaut candidate should be competent in relevant scientific disciplines, including but not restricted to life sciences, physics, chemistry and medicine and/or be an engineer or pilot, and should have demonstrated outstanding abilities in research, applications or the educational field, preferably including operational skills. In addition, characteristics expected of all applicants include a good memory and reasoning ability, concentration, aptitude for spatial orientation, and manual dexterity,” explained Gerhard Thiele, former astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Division. Applicants should be fluent in English (Russian is also an asset) and should exhibit personality traits such as high motivation, flexibility, team competence, empathy with others and emotional stability.


Europe-wide information campaign

This major recruitment campaign will kick off with information conferences held in ESA Member States, in which ESA astronauts will be involved. Media organisations will be kept informed and will have the opportunity to attend these events.


For further information:

European Astronaut Centre (EAC)
Linda Villette
Email:Linda.Villette@esa.int
tel: +49 22 03 6001 113
Fax: +49 22 03 6001 112

Source: ESA - Human Spacrflight and Exploration