The three-stage journey from candidate to orbital resident
In short: Becoming an astronaut requires much more than physical fitness. It is a multi-year, tiered educational marathon involving everything from Russian language fluency to underwater survival, designed to prepare crews for the complex machinery of the International Space Station.
The path to orbit is structured into three distinct phases. It begins with basic training, a one-year program conducted at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC). During this period, candidates study the fundamentals of engineering and science, alongside the mechanics of major space systems like the Russian Soyuz, SpaceX, and Boeing vehicles. This phase also builds essential astronautic skills, including robotics, spacecraft docking, and the technical requirements for extravehicular activities, or spacewalks. Beyond technical systems, this initial year also incorporates training in human behavior, performance, and survival skills, as well as instruction in the Russian language.
Once the fundamentals are mastered, astronauts enter pre-assignment training. This variable-duration phase provides the in-depth, generic expertise required to operate and maintain the International Space Station's modules and payloads. To ensure familiarity with all flight elements, lessons are conducted across various partner sites, including NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, and CSA. This stage also includes specialized training in areas such as medical aspects, navigation, and resource operations. During this period, astronauts also contribute to the ongoing operations of current missions while honing their expertise.
The final, most intensive stage is increment training, which begins once a specific mission is assigned. Lasting approximately two years, this phase focuses on the specific scientific experiments and maintenance tasks scheduled for the upcoming flight. Astronauts learn the scientific background of their research equipment and prepare for emergency reactions and safe living on-board. To simulate extreme environments, the agency utilizes analogue courses, such as the CAVES underground mission and the two-week NEEMO underwater mission, alongside modern virtual and augmented reality tools. This stage involves learning to manage the spaceship components of the ISS and preparing to fix any hardware failures. Additionally, geological field training through the PANGAEA course helps astronauts prepare for planetary environments.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: ESA astronauts training for ISS mission
- Also: Training for space
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