Spain will once again have astronauts in space. In late November, the European Space Agency (ESA) chose Pablo Álvarez, 24, aeronautical engineer and Sara García, 33, biotechnologist, for its new European astronaut class.
In the next few weeks, the new astronauts will start an arduous training program that could last for more than three years to take part in key missions for the future of aerospace exploration: the return to the Moon, planned for 2030, or a future trip to Mars. Until then, they will fly and work in the International Space Station, like their predecessors.
13 years have passed since the European Space Agency last opened a candidate selection process to travel to space. Pedro Duque was, as of that time, the only Spaniard chosen by ESA to take part in space programs 30 years ago today.
