ESA’s first Astronaut Reserve cohort has received its official training patch, unveiled during a ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany.
The patch is a symbol of readiness and Europe’s future in human spaceflight. At its centre is Europe on a curved Earth, marked by a compass star highlighting EAC — the heart of astronaut training. Five beams of light radiate upwards, representing knowledge, collaboration, innovation, determination and vision, guiding Europe from Earth to the International Space Station and future destinations. Twelve stars shine across the horizon, symbolising the twelve members of ESA’s first Astronaut Reserve.
Pictured here are members of ESA’s astronaut reserve, Arnaud Prost, Carmen Possnig, Andrea Patassa, John McFall, Sara García Alonso, Aleš Svoboda, Amelie Schoenenwald, Anthea Comellini and Meganne Christian, joined by Human Exploration Group Leader at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre Andreas Mogensen and ESA’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander.
Through training in spacecraft systems, survival exercises and spacewalk familiarisation, ESA is preparing this new generation of explorers to contribute to science, technology and international cooperation in low Earth orbit and beyond.
[Image description: Group photo at the European Astronaut Centre showing ESA’s first Astronaut Reserve members with their new training patch. In the front row, from left to right: Aleš Svoboda, Amelie Schoenenwald, Anthea Comellini and Meganne Christian. In the back row, from left to right: ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Arnaud Prost, Carmen Possnig, Andrea Patassa, John McFall, Sara García Alonso and ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander. All wear blue ESA flight suits, except Andreas Mogensen and Daniel Neuenschwander, who are in a jacket and suit.]