Scientists from the Institute of Space Systems (IRS) at the University of Stuttgart have trained a class of five astronaut candidates from the European Space Agency (ESA) in the subject of space technology. The Stuttgart lecturers gave lectures and conducted seminars on topics such as planning space missions, aerodynamics and navigation in space.
The IRS at the University of Stuttgart was selected for the training of astronauts because it is one of the largest university space institutes in Europe. The IRS offers students a particularly diverse range of courses - for example on space robotics, space missions and spacecraft.
Space technology is an integral part of ESA's one-year basic training course - alongside electrical engineering and other scientific disciplines. Despite their different academic backgrounds, the aspiring astronauts are thus given a basic understanding of space travel and are optimally prepared for their missions in space. A graduate from France and a graduate from Belgium have already been assigned to a flight mission into space after completing their training.
Author: Jannik Hausmann
