A graduate of the Toulouse National School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, he is part of the European Space Agency’s new promotion of 17 astronauts.
Madame Figaro -. How did you feel when you found out about your final selection, after nearly 22,500 candidates were in the running?
First, great joy and a certain relief because it ended eighteen months of uncertainty. I also felt great humility, as well as a keen sense of the responsibilities that lay ahead of me. And finally, thanks to the people who trusted me.
Relive Thomas Peske’s flight to the International Space Station on video
Astronaut, is it a childhood dream?
I have always been a big dreamer, I started reading Jules Verne’s adventure stories, fairy tales, novels, but also biographies of pilots, aviators, astronauts. I liked to look at the sky, I found inspiration there, during the day I imagined flying near the clouds, at night I admired the starry sky… Then I built my professional career, an engineer, a helicopter pilot, then a test pilot. Many different careers can lead to an astronaut course, the path I liked the most was aeronautics.
Space, why?
For a combination of many fields that have always fascinated me: science, technology, intelligence. But also the human adventure. We work as a team, with professionals from all nationalities. I love learning from other cultures, it allows me to advance my understanding of the world.
I want to be an ambassador for technology and science so I can inspire young people regardless of their background
Sophie Adenot
Have you encountered any difficulties in this very masculine area?
As a woman, obviously not. I always told myself that the time of pioneers is over. I believe that the professions that I have pursued throughout my career have had no gender. Engineer, pilot, test pilot, then now astronaut candidate. even if women are in the minority, skill is important as well as motivation, personality; not gender or social background. I am happy to testify that it is possible to succeed as a woman in scientific fields. I want to be an ambassador for technology and science so that I can inspire young people, regardless of their background. We need passionate people.
What to say to young women who dream of being in your shoes one day?
Girls, it’s up to you. Believe in yourself, believe in your dreams and work towards what you want to do. Hard work and perseverance will open doors to your future. If one day some close, keep the faith, others will open. Sprinkle your journey with determination, a touch of audacity to dare yourself to venture into unknown lands. Believe in your star.
Source: Le Figaro
