The European Space Agency (ESA) has begun recruiting new astronaut candidates in full accordance with plans. Applications are accepted on the agency’s website until May 28. This will be followed by a six-step selection process. Candidates from all walks of life, of any gender, and even people with disabilities are invited, which has not yet been in the history of astronautics.

The time has come for space to become open to everyone, according to ESA officials. Of course, this is a milestone in our history. Nobody claims that the great dispersal in the Universe has begun, but a very, very important step has been taken in this direction.

Eight weeks have been set aside for applications for the European Astronaut Corps. Selection winners will be announced in October 2022. The ESA website accepts applications for both programs: for qualified healthy men and women and for people with disabilities under the Feasibility Project Parastronaut program.

“This project is the first in the world to begin removing obstacles for people with disabilities in professional space flights,” – reported on the ESA website. It will be possible to follow the selection and preparation processes of candidates in this section on the agency’s website.