European Space Agency announces astronauts from diverse backgrounds

The European Space Agency has announced it has taken on 11 reservist astronauts including an Australian woman and for the first time, a para-astronaut.

Η Αυστραλή Δρα Christian, ο Βρετανός John McFall και η Ιρλανδή Ρόζμαρι Κούγκαν βρίσκονται ανάμεσα στους έφεδρους αστροναύτες που επέλεξε ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος Source: AFP / JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images

Australia has its first female astronaut, with University of New South Wales alumna Dr Meganne Christian selected as part of the European Space Agency’s 2022 astronaut class.

Ms Christian is one of 11 reservist astronauts selected, alongside five career astronauts and one parastronaut from more than 22,500 eligible applicants.

She will represent the United Kingdom, having been born there and holding citizenship.