ESA Explores
Episodes
Pablo Álvarez Fernández | Spacesuits, Survival & Spacewalk Dreams
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Step inside astronaut training with ESA astronaut Pablo Álvarez Fernández as he shares his training journey from Cologne in Germany to Houst...
ESA's Astronaut Reserve: Astro Chat with Carmen Possnig
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Carmen Possnig—medical doctor, space physiology researcher and ESA astronaut reserve member. In this episode, she shares how her time at Concor...
ESA's Astronaut Reserve: Astro Chat with John McFall
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet John McFall – Paralympian, medical doctor and member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve. As part of ESA’s groundbreaking FLY initiative, John is he...
ESA's Astronaut Reserve: Astro Chat with Meganne Christian
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Meganne Christian — With a PhD in industrial chemistry and hands-on experience in extreme environments, Meganne has tested graphene coatings ...
Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski: Training for the Ignis mission
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As part of his preparations for the Ignis mission, which forms part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station, ESA project astronau...
ESA's Astronaut Reserve: Astro Chat with Aleš Svoboda
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Aleš Svoboda— A skilled pilot with over 1500 flight hours, Aleš holds a PhD in aircraft and rocket technology and has commanded Quick Reactio...
ESA's Astronaut Reserve: Astro Chat with Amelie Schoenenwald
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Amelie Schoenenwald— biotechnologist, business expert, and PhD in structural biology. Whether in the lab or the great outdoors, she thrives in ...
ESA's Astronaut Reserve: Astro Chat with Arnaud Prost
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Arnaud Prost—aerospace engineer, professional diver, and member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve. From flying aircraft to getting a taste of spacew...
ESA's Astronaut Reserve: Astro Chat with Andrea Patassa
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Andrea Patassa—test pilot, aviator, passionate outdoor adventurer, and Member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve. In this miniseries, we take you o...
ESA's Astronaut Reserve: Astro Chat with Sara García Alonso
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Sara García Alonso — biotechnologist, cancer researcher, passionate science communicator and member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve. She’s our ...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Marco Sieber and Claude Nicollier
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Swiss round: Get ready for an inspiring episode as we bring together Marco Sieber, from ESA’s newest astronaut class, and Claude Nicollier, a pionee...
Road to the stars: Training for the Moon at LUNA
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer as we explore LUNA – our state-of-the-art Moon analogue facility located next to the European Astronaut C...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Sławosz Uznański
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sławosz is an ESA project astronaut currently preparing for a future mission to the International Space Station at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre ...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with John McFall
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John McFall, a member of the European astronaut reserve from the ESA astronaut class of 2022, brings a diverse background to his role. With experience...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Alexander Gerst
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, an experienced spaceflyer, spacewalker, and former ISS commander, shares insights into his role as head of astronaut op...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Katherine Bennell-Pegg
20 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine Bennell-Pegg from the Australian Space Agency joined ESA’s astronaut candidates from the class of 2022 for basic training through a cooper...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Sophie Adenot
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sophie Adenot is one of ESA's five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Ger...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Pablo Álvarez Fernández
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pablo Álvarez Fernández, one of ESA's five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre in Co...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Rosemary Coogan
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rosemary Coogan, one of ESA’s five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, G...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Marco Sieber
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marco Sieber is one of ESA’s five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Colog...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Raphaël Liégeois
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Raphaël Liégeois is one of ESA’s five astronaut candidates currently undergoing basic astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in...
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Marcus Wandt
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt will soon be launched to the International Space Station for his first spaceflight mission. Marcus is the first mem...
Time and Space bonus episode: 40 years of European space exploration
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a special bonus episode of our Time and Space series on the ESA Explores podcast! Join us in commemorating the 40th anniversary of Spacelab...
ESA Explores: 100 days to launch with astronaut Matthias Maurer
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer will soon be launched to the International Space Station for a six-month stay in orbit. In this podcast, he talks about ...
ESA Explores: ERA for astronauts
18 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
ESA astronaut André Kuipers first encountered the European Robotic Arm (ERA) on paper, when it was intended for a proposed spaceplane called Hermes. ...
ESA Explores: a new arm for space
04 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The European Robotic Arm (ERA) is set for launch to the International Space Station in July 2021, where it will provide access to the exterior of the ...
ESA Explores: preparing for other planets
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Loredana Bessone is preparing astronauts to explore other planets through innovative training on Earth. In this episode of astronaut selection series,...
ESA Explores: innovation for exploration
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A team of students and young professionals from across Europe are exploring innovative solutions to some of the biggest challenges we'll face as we go...
Time and Space: forward to the Moon
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of our Time and Space series, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker talks us through Europe's next steps int...
ESA Explores: training for space and ground
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As a member of the instructor training team for ESA's European Astronaut Centre, Misbahur Rehman-Saad puts astronauts and flight control teams through...
ESA Explores: the space doctor is in
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 6 of our astronaut selection series, ESA Senior Flight Surgeon Sergi Vaquer Araujo talks us through his role in taking care of ESA astronau...
ESA Explores: the voice of Earth in orbit
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore another fascinating space career. Andrea Boyd coordinates ESA's European Communicator and Medical Operations (Eurocom) team...
ESA Explores: maximising crew time in space
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In episode four of our astronaut selection series, we catch up with utilisation planning team lead at ESA Kirsten MacDonell. From the Canadian Air For...
ESA Explores: the Space Station and Mars
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus series, we are talking science on the International Space Station (ISS). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first Europ...
ESA Explores: getting an experiment to orbit
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus series, we are talking science on the International Space Station (ISS). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first Europ...
ESA Explores: the early days of Space Station science
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus series, we are talking science on the International Space Station (ISS). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first missi...
ESA Explores: research in space
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
ESA research and payloads programme coordinator coordinator Jennifer Ngo-Anh shares how she found her way to space as we delve into human research on ...
ESA Explores: becoming an astronaut
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the European Space Agency (ESA) recruits its first astronauts in over 10 years, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano shares his journey to spaceflight and ...
ESA Explores: space careers
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To mark the opening of the European Space Agency's first astronaut selection in over a decade, we embark on a journey into the wonderful world of spac...
Time and Space: launching Columbus to orbit
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The addition of ESA's Columbus laboratory, and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) programme, changed the shape of European participation on the Inte...
Time and Space: entering the ISS era
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's not just Europeans who have flown into orbit, Europe has also produced some impressive pieces of space-worthy kit. In this episode, hosts Ally Ko...
ESA Explores: agency heads look forward to the Moon
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
ESA Director General Jan Wörner and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine sit down with hosts Ally Koehler and Stephen Ennis to talk about collaboration...
Time and space: ESA's first astronaut
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of our ESA Explores Time and Space series we chat with the first ESA astronaut to fly to space, physicist Ulf Merbold. Ulf flew on the...
Time and space: building a Spacelab
21 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of the first engineers to work on Spacelab Alan Thirkettle talks hosts Ally and Stephen through the unexpected challenges and memorable moments of...
Time and Space: the first Europeans in orbit
16 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In episode one of ESA Explores' Time and Space series, we explore the early days of Soviet spaceflight in conversation with Romania's first cosmonaut ...
AstroChat - training for the Space Station
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
ESA astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Matthias Maurer take the time to chat while training for upcoming missions to the International Space Station missio...
ESA Explores – ESA missions return to science
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After a brief shutdown of science instruments and a period in ‘safe standby’, ESA’s planetary missions are getting back to what they do best –...
Beyond Series – Luca reflects on a mission E10
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just a short time after returning from 201 days in orbit on the International Space Station, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano talks to Ally Koehler about ...
Beyond Series – Looking beyond Beyond E09
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Aidan Cowley is a science advisor at ESA working with students and researchers on ideas that could shape the way we go forward to the Moon. In this...
Beyond Series – Back to Earth E08
15 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As Luca's time in space draws to a close, hosts Ally Koehler and Stephen Ennis chat to ESA flight surgeon Maybritt Kuypers about the medical challenge...
Beyond Series – Space celebrations E07
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The festive season is in full force. Find out how astronauts celebrate special occasions on the Space Station with ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, BME/E...
Beyond Series – Italian bonus E02
10 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
ESA explores Beyond: L' addestramento degli astronauti. Episodio in italiano: Massimiliano Signori e Flavie Rometsch ci parlano dell' addestramento de...
Beyond Series – Fit for space E06
25 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Exercise in space is about more than just looking good – it's essential for astronaut health. In this episode Ally Koehler and Stephen Ennis chat to...
Beyond Series – Luca spacewalk special E05.1
11 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is preparing for a series of spacewalks to service the dark-matter-hunting Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer AMS-02. In this bo...
Beyond Series – Spotlight on spacewalking E05
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
October 2019 is a busy month for spacewalking, and November will be no different. In this episode Ally and Stephen look at what it takes to prepare fo...
Beyond Series – Italian bonus E01
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In questo primo episodio, Antonio Fortunato e Fabio Zecca ci parlano della Stazione Spaziale Internazionale e della seconda missione di Luca Parmitano...
Beyond Series – Trailer in italiano
19 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
ESA Explores èil podcast ufficiale dell'Agenzia Spaziale Europea dedicato alla missione Beyond dell'astronauta Luca Parmitano sulla Stazione Spaziale...
Beyond Series – Space Station sounds E04
16 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Ally Koehler and Stephen Ennis listen to and discuss some of the sounds that characterise life on the International Space Station with astronaut...
Beyond Series – Space Station science E03
16 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano will support over 50 European experiments in microgravity during his Beyond mission. Ally and Stephen talk to two of the ...
Beyond Series - Launch traditions E02
14 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts Ally Koehler and Stephen Ennis chat with ESA head of crew support Romain Charles, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, about the s...
Beyond Series – Luca and Beyond E01
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
During his final days of training at ESA’s astronaut centre in Cologne, Germany, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano talks to host Stephen Ennis about his ...
Beyond Series – Trailer
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Go behind the scenes of space exploration with this official podcast from the European Space Agency. This upcoming series focuses on ESA astronaut Luc...