Two Britons, John McFall, a former British Paralympic sprinter, and Rosemary Coogan, a space science researcher, have been chosen by the European Space Agency (ESA) to be the next generation of astronauts.
A third, Meganne Christian, also completed the astronaut selection process and will become a member of the ESA astronaut reserve.
Coogan, who currently works for French space agency CNES, was picked to be a career astronaut, following in the footsteps of Major Tim Peake and Helen Sharman, who was the first British astronaut.
McFall was chosen by ESA as the first ever 'para-astronaut' candidate, aiming to make him the first astronaut with a physical disability to go into space.
Introduced herself, Coogan said, "I'm 31 years old and I'm European but from the UK", adding that she has a PhD in astrophysics and spent a few years as a Royal Navy reserve during her studies before going to work in robotics.
She and her fellow new career astronauts will report start basic training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany in 2023 and lasting a year and a half, potentially followed by mission-specific training that can take another two years once they are assigned to a mission.
McFall, meanwhile, who competed using a prosthetic leg in the 2008 summer Paralympics in Beijing after his right leg was amputated above the knee following a moped accident when he was 19, has qualified as a doctor since retiring from athletics.
He will be an essential part of a feasibility study to find out what needs to be changed in the spacecraft or on board of ISS, to fly safely, the UK Space Agency said.
From left: Coogan, McFall, Christian
Following applications from over 22,000 people, including 2,000 from the UK, the British trio were among a new group of 17 announced by ESA, the first new European astronauts since 2009.
The announcement followed confirmation of ESA's budget increase to almost €17bn for the next five years, including funding for space exploration, robotics research, Earth monitoring and other projects.
A commitment of £1.84bn of funding was made by the UK Space Agency to new missions and programmes, with the UK government confirming its support for continued investment in ESA, which science and innovation minister George Freeman described as "a unique organisation that stands separate to the EU, built on the solid foundation of international collaboration".
He added: “Today’s announcement of the next set of UK ESA astronauts is a sign of international respect for both UK space scientists and the UK’s commitment to space for all."
UK Space Agency chief executive, Dr Paul Bate, said: "This is a momentous day for the UK Space Agency, our space sector and the country as a whole. Through our investment in the European Space Agency, the UK is playing a leading role in space exploration and collaborating with international partners to use the unique vantage point of space to benefit life on Earth.
"Space has an incredible power to inspire and I am sure Rosemary, John and Meganne will become heroes for many young people and inspire them to shoot for the stars. It’s also important to remember that, behind every astronaut, there is a dedicated team of people, including in the UK, working behind the scenes to achieve the incredible."
Westminster's increased interest and backing for the space industry comes ahead of what is expected to be the first orbital rocket launch from UK soil later this month, as a Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:VORB) mission takes off from Spaceport Cornwall, while vertical launches are also planned from sites in Scotland next year.
The UK's £1.84bn committed investment for space programmes at the ESA Council of Ministers meeting includes:
- a UK investment of £315 million in Earth observation and climate programmes: a 45% increase, deploying funds set aside for Copernicus participation to support the sector while EU programme association continues to face delays
- ESA commitment to the UK-built Rosalind Franklin Mars rover, which is set to launch to Mars in 2028, with UK companies set to play a leading role in developing a new landing platform
- UK leadership in space sustainability via satellite management, maintenance and retrieval to support UK ambitions to lead in global space sustainability regulation and innovation
- leading UK involvement in commercially focused programmes, including communications and navigation, driving further innovation in the satellite industry
- UK leadership in the Vigil space weather mission, which will travel to a point in deep space known as L5 and give advance warning of dangerous solar storms, enhancing and securing observational capabilities, while supporting expertise such as that delivered by the UK Met Office’s Space Weather Operations Centre
- enabling the UK to set the standards for satellite climate measurements, with funding secured for further development of the TRUTHS mission, which was first proposed by scientists at the National Physical Laboratory to deliver a tenfold increase in the accuracy of climate measurements
A UK commitment of £615mln to ESA’s core space science budget will secure opportunities for UK companies to bid for high-value contracts, the UKSA said, as well establishing new scientific leadership roles for UK universities.
UKSA said the UK space sector will benefit from the following commitments:
- £217mln towards the global exploration programme, supporting robotic missions to Mars and contributing to the Artemis Moon programme, including the Argonaut (European Large Logistics Lander), Gateway space station and commercial lunar communications systems
- £206mln for telecommunications programmes, building on the success of the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications in Harwell, to enable faster 5G and future 6G connectivity, develop new optical and quantum communications systems, and support constellations of Low Earth Orbit satellites
- £111mln to bolster space safety and security, including improving forecasting and building resilience to dangerous space weather, tackling the issues of space debris and work on high-potential areas including in-orbit satellite servicing and manufacturing
- £71mln to back new technologies, helping smaller businesses develop new ideas and products, including supporting emerging areas such as space-based solar power, and creating radioisotope heat and power systems derived from nuclear waste, to fuel a new generation of missions.
The UKSA said it was the "most ambitious and comprehensive package of investments with ESA ever".