Arnaud Prost, 31 years old, embodies the figure of the modern explorer. A reserve astronaut for the European Space Agency (ESA), he is also a pilot, engineer, skydiver, and Tek trimix hypoxic diver. His dives at over 100 meters, equipped with a rebreather and multiple backup tanks, give him a striking foretaste of extravehicular activities in the vacuum of space.
From a Dreamed Selection to a Renewed Demand
Selected by the ESA from among 22,523 candidates, Arnaud Prost is achieving a childhood dream. « For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut, » he confides. This selection is « a huge step forward » towards this goal. He feels privileged and driven by a « requirement to continue giving the best of myself. » Being in the reserve means he can replace a career astronaut or be assigned to an additional mission. His colleague Marcus Wandt, also a reservist, will soon fly to the International Space Station, a great pride for the 2022 promotion.
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