ESA approves 8,413 astronaut applications

PARIS, June 23 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says it received nearly 10,000 responses in its search for new astronauts, with 8,413 people provisionally accepted.

The ESA began its search for astronaut candidates May 19, calling for applications from talented individuals who want to join the European Astronaut Corps. The 8,413 applicants proceeding to the next step in the selection process provided a medical certificate and finalized their online application forms.

Most of the applications were received from France (22.1 percent) and Germany (21.4 percent) followed by Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain, the ESA said, noting of the total applications, 16 percent were submitted by women.

"The Astronaut Selection Team, based at the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany, now has the challenging task to select the best applicants," the space agency said in a statement. "Those who make it through this first selection can soon expect to receive a letter inviting them to participate in the next stage -- the psychological testing."

Officials said the tests will identify the psychological and technical skills of the applicants, who will be tested in different fields, including visual memory and psychomotor aptitude.