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The European Space Agency will announce its new astronauts, AP reported.

The last such recruitment was more than a decade ago.

The aspiration is to represent more community groups.

The campaign was announced in February 2021. More than 22,000 people applied.

The new six astronauts will be presented today at a press conference in Paris.

The reserve team will include 20 people.

Finalists have undergone intensive screening over the past year.

The campaign was not aimed at ethnic diversity, but emphasized the importance of representing all members of society.

A record number of women applied, as well as about 200 people with disabilities.

The European Space Agency has sought people with disabilities for a first-of-its-kind study on space station accessibility needs. 

Astronauts train on a volcano in the Canary Islands

It has 25 member states and associate members.

Application documents have been received from all of them.

However, the most candidates were from the traditional key countries - France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy, writes BTA.

astronauts

European Space Agency