ESA Astronaut Reserve group two at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre
ESA Astronaut Reserve group two at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre
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ESA / Science & Exploration / Human and Robotic Exploration
ESA’s second group of Astronaut Reserve members has successfully completed the first block of their intensive Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) programme. Starting in January 2025, four members of the European Astronaut Reserve—Meganne Christian from the UK, Anthea Comellini from Italy, John McFall from the UK and Carmen Possnig from Austria— tarted their two months training programme at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany, honing essential skills required for future space exploration and scientific research.
Based on modules from ESA’s basic astronaut training, they received an introduction to ESA and its programmes, the ISS programme, and the European space industry and institutions. Media training was also part of the curriculum, preparing them for public engagement.
Other key areas included human behaviour and performance, which covered how astronauts interact, communicate, and work in teams as crucial skills for life on the Space Station. In addition, Meganne, Anthea, John and Carmen participated in physical fitness routines.
The second group also received scientific training, which included biology courses and laboratory techniques, equipping them with the knowledge required to conduct experiments in space. Space-related biology and radiation lessons explored how space conditions affect human health, while the astrobiology module studied how microorganisms and biological materials survive in space.
A highlight of their training was the spacewalk familiarisation, held at ESA’s Neutral Buoyancy Facility. There, Meganne, Anthea, John and Carmen practised scuba diving to simulate the microgravity environment of space. This hands-on experience gave them insight into tasks such as performing repairs or installing equipment.
Survival training was another crucial part of their training. The group undertook a winter survival training, learning essential skills such as fire-making, shelter-building, and managing cold-related injuries. These exercises were designed to prepare them for potential emergency situations in case their spacecraft would land in remote locations, such as unplanned spacecraft landings.
ESA Astronaut Reserve group two train in ESA's Neutral Buoyancy Facility
ESA Astronaut Reserve group two train in ESA's Neutral Buoyancy Facility
Alongside his Astronaut Reserve Training, John McFall is advancing ESA’s Fly! project, which aims to make space exploration more inclusive for astronauts with disabilities. During the recently successfully completed Fly! “Feasibility Study" phase, for which John joined EAC in September 2023, he has already completed key portions of ESA’s basic astronaut training. Now, as part of ART, John is continuing to build on this training, while also progressing through the “Mission Ready” phase of the Fly! project, which prepares him for the possibility of a long-duration mission.
With this training phase complete, the second group has followed the same rigorous programme as the first, bringing all members of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve to a common level of proficiency. The first group—Sara García Alonso from Spain, Andrea Patassa from Italy, Arnaud Prost from France, Amelie Schoenenwald from Germany, and Aleš Svoboda from Czechia—began their training in October 2024.
Now that their initial training is complete, both groups will return to EAC later in 2025 for the next stage, further building on the skills and knowledge they have gained.
ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training programme is a key part of the agency’s commitment to strengthening Europe’s human spaceflight capabilities, ensuring readiness for future opportunities in commercial and exploration missions.
Sharing their experiences of ART
Meganne Christian
"Space exploration excites me because it’s all about discovery — pushing the boundaries of what we know and exploring environments we never thought possible. I often think of the pioneers who took that brave first step into space. Their courage is something I continue to draw inspiration from as I go through Astronaut Reserve training with ESA. Every day in training brings us closer to new possibilities, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that journey."
Anthea Comellini
"Being part of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve is an incredible opportunity. The training is intense but rewarding, teaching us skills that are vital for spaceflight but also extremely valuable for our everyday jobs on Earth. It was great to work with such a diverse team and see first-hand how much we can learn from each other. This training gives us the means to improve our contribution to Europe’s commitment to advancing science and technology for space."
John McFall
"ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training, combined with my involvement in the Fly! project, has been an amazing experience. The training is preparing us for future missions while giving us the chance to contribute to research that could shape space exploration for astronauts with disabilities. It’s inspiring to be a part of both the scientific and operational sides of spaceflight, knowing that what we’re doing today could make a huge impact in the future."
Carmen Possnig
"ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training has been eye-opening and intense, covering everything from spaceflight fundamentals to survival training in the harshest environments. What stands out most is how it’s taught me the importance of adaptability and teamwork—skills that are vital not just in space, but in any high-pressure situation. Whether it’s underwater training or surviving in the snow-covered Pyrenees, every challenge has reinforced the value of working together to overcome obstacles."