ESA is hiring new astronauts - has anyone here applied?

[michal.don]

As the title says, I'm just curious, if anyone of us space nerds took it to another level and answered the call

[kerbiloid]

Any known astronaut playing KSP?

[michal.don]

None that I'm aware of, that's why I was asking, I was kind of hoping it might change soon, I think quite a few of the KSP players would be eligible for the position  

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

If they are taking old, out of shape non-scientists that are 6'7" or so and who live in America... Count me in! 

[Just Jim]

Maybe if I was 20 years younger...   

1 hour ago, kerbiloid said:

Any known astronaut playing KSP?

I'm not sure... possibly...
But I know of one absolutely confirmed ESA Scientist who plays KSP
 

 

[Starhelperdude]

I could mayyybe apply in the future, since I also live in a major ESA-member state, but I think I will go into the astronomy direction later in my life

[cubinator]

I have at least 5 years before I can start applying, and that'd be on the NASA side of the pond.

[Ben J. Kerman]

22 minutes ago, Starhelperdude said:

I could mayyybe apply in the future, since I also live in a major ESA-member state, but I think I will go into the astronomy direction later in my life

I live in the US, am still too young, and am thinking more along the lines of aerospace engineering as a career rather than actually being an astronaut. 

[Starhelperdude]

7 minutes ago, Ben J. Kerman said:

I live in the US, am still too young, and am thinking more along the lines of aerospace engineering as a career rather than actually being an astronaut. 

I'm also too young sadly, though that means that I can still think about what I will do later in my life, either rocket engineer stuff or astronomy stuff, specified in extrasolar stuff like neutron stars and black holes

[StrandedonEarth]

The Project Scientist for OSIRIS-REx also plays KSP and is active on the forum as @IonStorm. Incidentally, Dr. Brian May of Queen is also involved in the project, IIRC.

Astronaut Scott Kelly has also played KSP while being interviewed by Lee Hutchinson of Arstechnica.com

 

Edited June 13, 2021 by StrandedonEarth

[IonStorm]

1 hour ago, StrandedonEarth said:

The Project Scientist for OSIRIS-REx also plays KSP and is active on the forum as @IonStorm. Incidentally, Dr. Brian May of Queen is also involved in the project, IIRC.

Astronaut Scott Kelly has also played KSP while being interviewed by Lee Hutchinson of Arstechnica.com

 

Hi, I got hooked from one of Scott Manley's KSP videos in 2011 since I was following him due to his wonderful asteroid orbit visualizations, though I'm a sloppy KSP player myself.  @Jasonden is a deputy PI for Dragonfly and he plays KSP and is active on the forums.   

Brian May likes making stereo pairs.  This one from two images at different times from the same camera was a challenge for him to make, but is informative https://www.asteroidmission.org/stereopair/ 

My PhD is in biochemistry, but I apply it to planetary science.  I've never been to space but did have the amazing opportunity to briefly work with Kate Rubins on the DNA sequencer on the ISS and talk with Leland Melvin about research, but I didn't ask him about his dogs.  Starting your journey to space research or technology at a young age is awesome.