Aleš Svoboda, Supersonic, Space Stuff & STEM — a seasoned pilot with over 1,500 flight hours, a PhD in aircraft and rocket technology, and operational experience leading Quick Reaction Alerts.

From flying high to training underwater, he’s always ready to take on new challenges—now including astronaut reserve training with ESA.

In this miniseries, we take you on a journey through the ESA Astronaut Reserve, diving into the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany. Our “ARTists” are immersing themselves in everything from ESA and the International Space Station programme to the European space industry and institutions. They’re gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, alongside human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival training.

ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training programme is all about building Europe’s next generation of space explorers—preparing them for the opportunities of future missions in Earth orbit and beyond.

This interview was recorded in November 2024.

You can listen to this episode on all major podcast platforms.

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About ESA :

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization set up in 1975 to coordinate and develop European space activities. Today, it brings together 22 member states and works with several partner countries, including Canada. Its main objective is to develop Europe’s space capabilities, in both civil and scientific fields, by promoting technological, industrial and scientific cooperation.
The agency also plays a crucial role in the transition to sustainable space, developing solutions for space debris monitoring, satellite eco-design and mission energy optimization. It works closely with other agencies such as NASA, JAXA, CNES and DLR, as well as with the private sector in a “New Space” dynamic.

Source : ESA