European astronauts touch base after first weeks of ‘basic’ training

The five astronauts from the 2022 intake of the European Space Agency (ESA) have always dreamed of going to space. They have now completed their first weeks of “basic” training. Extra courses in geology mean they are likely to plan missions to the Moon and perhaps even Mars. But the ESA’s most basic yet ambitious goal is to keep a foot in space and remain a key player. The aim is to ensure that Europe does not depend on other powers for telecommunications, defence and the monitoring of the Earth to manage various hazards, including climate change. FRANCE 24’s Science reporter Shirli Sitbon tells us more.