A very passionate presentation about the most recent OeWF analogue mission in Oman had inspired me. Since the moment I could think about career options, I wanted to become an astronaut. A dream cherished by many children but which may fade with age. My dream hasn’t faded , but actually grown into an ambition. Of course the probabilty of ever becoming an astronaut are extremely small. The presentation about the analog mission of the OeWF made me realise that this is probably the closest I might ever get to being in the shoes of an astronaut.

I went to the OeWF website and looked at the resumes of their analogue astronauts. Needless to say that I was impressed and I realised that becoming an analog astronaut is not that much easier than the selection process of the space agencies. Still I was excited when the OeWF announced that they were looking for a new class of analogue astronauts and I applied immediately., I submitted my resume, motivation letter and a personal video. Little did I know that more than a hundred other people had done the same thing. I was extremely happy to be one of the thirty people that got selected for the B-selection stage and was invited to Innsbruck.

Excited about the opportunity  and chance that I was given, I booked a flight and AirBnB in Innsbruck. When I arrived and met the other candidates, I was overwhelmed by the personalities and backgrounds of the other candidates. These were all extremely talented, motivated and kind people that are at least as enthusiastic about space exploration as I am. Meeting them was already worth, the trip. The whole selection process was an experience in itself. It was an enriching experience to be put to the test on many levels, physical, psychological, medical and social. You learn more about yourself and the traits that they’re looking for in (analog) astronauts. If my journey had ended after that selection round, I would have been very happy with the opportunity to meet all these people and experience all the test.

But my journey didn’t end that weekend. With fourteen other candidates, I got the relieving news that I was selected for the final round. Already during the first selection stage, we had grown together. Where I had booked an AirBnB for myself the first time, we now booked an appartement with almost half of the group. Although the second selection stage was even more demanding and challenging, it also felt like a very enjoyable weekend with like-minded people.