Six new Euro astronauts

THE European Space Agency unveiled a roster of six new astronauts selected after a gruelling, year-long vetting process that began with more than 8,400 applicants.

Europe’s new space elite comprises one woman, from Italy, and five men.

Briton Timothy Peake was picked alongside Italian Samantha Cristoforetti, German Alexander Gerst, Dane Andreas Mogensen, Italian Luca Parmitano and Frenchman Thomas Pesquet.

“I am very proud of the result achieved with this selection,” Simonetta Di Pippo, ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight, said at a press conference.