Russia’s space corporation, Roscosmos, has started a selection process for those who want a chance to go on the next-generation Federatsiya spacecraft to the Moon, Roscosmos First Deputy CEO Aleksandr Ivanov said in a news conference today.
“The selection begins today and it will last till the end of the year. The results will be summarized at the end of December. A group of six to eight trainees is to be selected,” he said.
“The purpose is to select the best specialists who already have certain knacks of operating space or air technologies. They will be the first pilots of Russia’s future spacecraft Federatsiya. All will be trained under the International Space Program and will be the first Russians to fly to the Moon,” the Roscosmos press-service said, reported Russian state news agency TASS.
The qualities desired include an engineering, space science, rocketry, or aviation background, fluent English, under 35 years of age, and an ability with computers. There will be an education and aptitude testing phase, then obvious physical and mental requirements.
“Those with experience in the aircraft-building and space rocket industry of the Russian Federation will enjoy priority,” the press-service said.
The 6-8 trainees selected will begin their quest at the Yuri A. Gagarin State Scientific Research-and-Testing Cosmonaut Training Center in the outskirts of Moscow. Russia has 30 cosmonauts.
And last but not least, you need to be Russian.
