Why is it important to have more female astronauts?

When I was asked this question, the first answer that came to my mind was the simplest: for the same reason, it is also important to have male astronauts. Another very simple method is: if man wants to become an interplanetary species in the long run, he will have to have all the options.

This European Space Agency (ESA) has just opened since March 31 Astronaut selection process After 11 years of hard work, we are actively looking for candidates who are willing to realize the dream of flying into space.

Astronauts must be highly qualified people, in addition to having a good physical shape and training, There is an excellent Science and Technology Training. They must be able to use very advanced technology and conduct scientific experiments. Like in many other fields, no woman wastes half of her talents.

As STEM careers are declining, especially among women, astronauts can be an excellent reference for girls.

But beyond that, the astronaut’s figure is iconic. They are considered heroes, the greatest heroines of our time. At a time when STEM careers are particularly declining, not only among women, astronauts can be an excellent reference for girls.Here, we have another powerful reason: few models can have larger Media and social influence Than a person who flew into space

Trailblazer Tereshkova and others

From the beginning of the space race, it has been known that it is important to have women. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin took an adventure. His first person to travel in the Vostok 1 space capsule was a complete success. Only two years later, the day before my birth, June 16, 1963 day, Valentina Tereshkova She became the first woman to travel in space on Vostok 6, and was the inspiration for so many women at that time and now.

However, despite the initial efforts and the efforts of the Soviet Union and Russia, there were only four female astronauts: Valentina Tereshkova, Svetlana Savitskaya, Elena Kondakova with Elena Serova. For comparison, so far, NASA has sent 47 women into space, nearly twelve times as many. Recently, one of them, Peggy WhilsonBecome the commander of the International Space Station, which has the longest flight time.

In 2019, the Russian Space Agency Roscos MossAfter realizing the abnormal situation in the astronaut, she began to correct it and announced the formation of a female astronaut team. In addition, the agency will also make the astronaut suit suitable for women, including exoskeleton elements, to enhance the operator’s feel when performing extra work (especially outside the International Space Station) for heavy work.

McClain, the astronaut who didn’t fly because he had no clothes

This announcement by the Russian Space Agency may be surprising, but when there were two female astronauts for the first time in October 2019, Christina Koch with Jessica MeirThey from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) took a space walk together to replace the power control unit. Few people knew that this milestone was after the first attempt, namely the astronauts. Annie McLean, Because there is no medium-sized clothing suitable for her, so she will return to the earth without finishing.

In space adventures, there are still many firsts, such as when a woman steps on the moon. The first woman to reach our satellite may be in 2024, ARTEMISA mission Humans will once again set foot on the surface of the moon. These candidates are already in the ranks of NASA. They arrived in 2017 and completed a two-year preparation course. For the ARTEMISA team, 18 astronauts have been selected, Nine men and nine women, Each half represents the social diversity of the United States, including African Americans, Latin Americans, people of Asian descent, etc.

The ESA phone will be available on www.esa.int on March 31.

European women: it’s time to get in touch with the stars

For its part, the European Space Agency (ESA) is a donor to the International Space Station. Although it cannot independently obtain manned flights, it has traditionally performed missions in cooperation with other agencies. If his body as an astronaut can be characterized by certain characteristics, it is the absence of women: Samantha Cristoforetti, This is the only woman among the seven astronauts on active duty, and only another woman has been added to the institution’s history, Claudie Haigneré.

In 1998, a Spanish astronaut, also an aeronautical engineer for ESA astronauts, is today the Minister of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government. This is the first and only astronaut to perform NASA’s STS-95 mission. Pedro Duque.

During the whole week’s visit, I was fortunate to accompany the crew on mission to visit our country. During this week, the astronaut team attracted the attention of boys and girls who began to dream of becoming astronauts. In that mission, Japanese astronaut, A doctor specializing in cardiovascular surgery, Chiaki Mukai, This has become a reference for girls, he always conveys to girls in a very special way, in order to convey that girls must develop to the highest level of life.

Will we meet the first Spanish female astronaut? There is no doubt that we are at a time when women are taking the right step, daring to propose their candidacy and preparing to be different.