Astronaut

As an astronaut, much of your time will be spent training to carry out tasks before going into space. Once there, you could:

• clean and test air filters and air quality
• repair, maintain and test oxygen production systems
• clean and maintain water systems and testing for bacterial growth
• package and dispose of waste
• replace worn or broken parts on the spacecraft
• install or repair scientific instruments and equipment
• set up, carry out and monitor experiments
• take samples, like blood, from astronauts to assess their health
• communicate with Earth by satellite to transfer data and send reports

• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• leadership skills
• observation and recording skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this career by applying directly.

You'll have several years' training before you're ready for a mission. It may take you years to be selected for a space flight. Once you're selected, you'll get mission specific training. Your flight in space could last between 6 months and a year.

With experience you could:

• be selected for other missions
• move into management, teaching or research
• set up your own consultancy business

You can find out more about related career opportunities in space exploration from the European Space Agency.