How European astronauts prepare for the rigours of life aboard the ISS
In short: Preparing for a six-month mission to the International Space Station requires more than just physical fitness. From mastering the Russian language to practicing complex robotics, ESA astronauts undergo a rigorous, multi-phase training regimen across the globe to ensure they can operate, service, and maintain the station's vital systems.
The journey for a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut begins with a year of basic training at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC). This foundational phase introduces candidates to the agency's various space programmes and covers essential engineering and science disciplines. Beyond theory, trainees must master complex astronautic skills, including robotics, spacecraft rendezvous and docking, and extravehicular activities, commonly known as spacewalks. To round out this stage, candidates undergo training in human behaviour, survival skills, and the Russian language.
Once basic training is complete, astronauts move into pre-assignment training. This variable-duration phase is designed to provide astronauts from all International Space Station partners—including NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA—with the in-depth expertise required to operate and maintain the station's modules, payloads, and transport vehicles. While this training is detailed, it remains generic enough to prepare astronauts for almost any flight to the ISS. During this period, lessons are conducted at various partner sites to provide first-hand familiarity with flight operations.
The final, most intensive stage is increment training. This phase is specific to a particular mission and focuses on the exact tasks the crew will perform during their stay. For an astronaut assigned to a mission, this preparation can take approximately two years. This intensive preparation was vital for the generation of astronauts scheduled for missions in 2013 and 2014, such as Luca Parmitano, who was set to fly from Baikonur, Russia, for a six-month mission, followed by Alexander Gerst and Samantha Cristoforetti.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: ESA astronauts training for ISS
- Also: Training for space
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