Inigo Munoz-Elorza (c) OeWF (Vanessa Weingartner)

Currently I’m in the middle of the C-selection process for the OeWF Class of 2015 analog astronaut crew, and believe when I say that this is a hard and competitive process. Along with me are 13 highly qualified and motivated candidates, and all the tests are anything but easy (ascending seven floors with the suit exoskeleton is more challenging than many treks I’ve done…). And it’s right here, when things are becoming more difficult, when motivation plays the biggest role. You have to show why you deserve the trust to be one of the chosen ones, show your best and keep on going despite of finishing a bad test or feeling tired.

I believe in motivation as a key factor for success, for any aspect in life, and this selection process is no exception. I was reviewing mine before coming for this selection round, and I really feel the same I did when I applied some months ago, even more: I want to see people walking in Mars one day, and I want to be as close as possible to it. It’s true that being an analog astronaut can be seen as something cool, and I see it in that way too, but there is much more behind it. Being part of this team equals to be among the people that will make true the dream of putting on man or woman in Mars. That’s what’s driving me, and it’s a powerful boost.

Like many kids, I wanted to be an astronaut and I reached for the stars. This seemed not to be so easy, and I was involved with many other things (and I think that the same happened to many people). So now it’s time to come back to this dream!

Author: Iñigo Muñoz Elorza