Who can become an astronaut?
Physical requirements are also important for those wanting to be an astronaut. Height must be between 1.90 and 1.53 m in order for astronauts to fit within the limited dimensions of a space capsule and for the suits to fit. Astronauts must also be very healthy and in good physical condition. Good mental health is also a requirement: astronauts need good powers of concentration, strong motivation, flexibility, ability to be a team player, a low level of aggressiveness and emotional stability. “Mental stability is especially important; it is more difficult to measure than the physical requirements but it shows up in the interviews,” comments Kerstin Fredga. Once a candidate has been accepted into the European Astronaut Corps training for a space mission begins. But, there can be a long wait for the first trip into space – Christer Fuglesang has waited 14 years for his mission. Astronauts train both their physical and mental abilities. They learn new skills and continue to study their own
