Alumnus set to become the first Dane in space

Andreas Mogensen selected as one of European Space Agency's new astronauts

Following a Europe-wide recruitment process, Andreas Mogensen (Aeronautics 1999) has been selected as one of six new astronauts by the European Space Agency (ESA). The 8,413 applicants were whittled down through a rigorous recruitment process, which included psychological and professional aptitude evaluation, a thorough medical evaluation, and a formal interview. The last recruitment campaign for new astronauts was held in 1992, so this really was a rare opportunity.

Andreas’ selection is only the beginning of a long journey from new recruit to astronaut, as he now begins basic training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. Andreas and his fellow recruits, Italians Samantha Cristoforetti and Luca Parmitano, German Alexander Gerst, Briton Timothy Peake, and French Thomas Pesquet, were presented at a press conference held at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, on 20 May 2009.

“I am very proud of the result achieved with this selection,” said Simonetta Di Pippo, ESA Director of Human Spaceflight. “Proud, as a European, of the calibre of the candidates, proud of the organisational efforts made by ESA and in particular by the European Astronaut Centre. This result exceeds our greatest expectations. Not only do we have a group of outstanding astronauts; we also have a representation of European countries that reinforces the support for human spaceflight and exploration in Europe.”

It will still be some time until Andreas and his fellow new recruits make it into space, however, as they are being prepared for space missions from 2013 onwards.