New European Astronauts to be announced on 20 May

The European Space Agency (ESA) will be announcing its new astronauts at ESA HEadquarters in Paris on Wednesday 20 May at press confererence starting at 1315 CEST (1215 BST).

The selection process started in 2008 with 8413 valid applications and following a very demanding selection process, ESA is now ready to introduce the latest members of the European Astronaut Corps who will conduct future missions to the International Space Station, and one day to the Moon and beyond.

Since, currently, the UK does not participate in human spaceflight or contribute financially to ESA's programmes in this area, it is virtually certain that none of the new astronauts will be British. However, given that the UK is currently reappraising its position on human spaceflight, some space commentators believe that a British reserve astronaut may be announced in June.