"Astronaut for a Day": 14 Austrian young people take off into weightlessness "Class of 2025" with seven girls and seven boys
After an intensive selection process, the 14 Austrian participants in the "Astronaut for a Day" initiative, jointly conducted for the first time by Austria, Luxembourg, and Estonia, have been decided. Originally, 13 slots were planned, but due to the high quality of the applications, 14 participants were ultimately selected. The last spot was drawn from the original five reserve candidates. Seven girls and seven boys, aged between 15 and 18, will have the unique opportunity to experience weightlessness on a parabolic flight on 15 October 2025. The group will be supplemented by four reserve astronauts: three girls and one boy.
The finalists succeeded in a multi-stage selection procedure, modelled after the actual selection process for astronauts, beating nearly 800 competitors. In addition to a video application, they passed logic, comprehension and fitness tests, as well as a personal interview. They hail from almost all federal states — Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, and Vienna — and impressed in the selection process not only with their knowledge of space but also with creative ideas on how they plan to share their enthusiasm in the future.
For the role of the participants extends beyond the parabolic flight: in the following year, they will be active as Space Ambassadors, sharing their passion for space at schools and in their communities, for example through workshops, telescope nights, rocket building, or inviting experts.
The last hurdle the aspiring young astronauts must overcome is the medical flight fitness examination. This will check cardiovascular systems, lung function, vision and hearing abilities, as well as mental resilience, to ensure the safety of the youth during the parabolic flight.
“With ‘Astronaut for a Day’ we demonstrate that space exploration is not confined to large research centres but is taking place right among us. The 14 young people prove how much curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm there is in Austria. They are role models and ambassadors for the next generation, making it clear that Austria, as a space nation, is shaping the future and that we need young talents to further advance our dynamically growing space sector,” emphasises Space and Innovation Minister Peter Hanke.
“Our Austrian ‘Astronauts for a Day’ are given the unique chance to experience weightlessness,” stresses FFG Managing Director Karin Tausz, adding: “Participation in the parabolic flight and the intensive training leading up to it opens new horizons for the young talents—both literally and figuratively—and sparks interest in researching space.”