Rosemary Coogan’s Journey Into Space

Britain’s Cosmic Ambition: The Journey of an Astronaut Aiming for the Moon

A new generation of British space explorers is reaching for the stars. Their sights are set firmly on lunar missions. Rosemary Coogan, an astrophysicist from Northern Ireland, stands at the forefront of this ambition. Her rigorous training pushes the boundaries of human endurance and scientific endeavour.

A Lifelong Dream Takes Flight

For Dr Rosemary Coogan, the pathway to becoming an astronaut commenced with a childhood fascination with the cosmos. This early interest, originating in Northern Ireland where she was born in 1991, propelled her towards an academic pathway centered on astrophysics. She pursued two master's degrees at the University of Durham. Her focus included physics, mathematics, astronomy, and computer programming. Research into gamma-ray emissions from black holes followed. Her doctoral studies at the University of Sussex concentrated on galaxy evolution. This academic journey included valuable experience as a visiting scientist in Paris and at an observatory in Hawaii.

When a search for fresh space explorers was publicised by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2021, its first in over a decade, it attracted more than 22,500 applicants. Coogan was among those who applied. A desire to contribute actively to space exploration motivated her. Her selection in November 2022 as one of five career astronauts in ESA's newest cohort, "The Hoppers," marked a pivotal moment. This achievement placed her among the elite few chosen to advance Europe’s presence in space.

The Rigorous Path of an Astronaut Candidate

Upon selection, Coogan and her fellow candidates embarked on an intensive basic training programme in April 2023. The European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany, coordinated this initial twelve-month phase. It introduces candidates to spaceflight fundamentals. The curriculum covers spacecraft systems, flight engineering, robotics, and life support. Russian language lessons, survival training, and an introduction to spacewalking techniques also form crucial components. For instance, the University of Stuttgart's Institute of Space Systems delivered a course in space technology to the 2022 astronaut class. This foundational training ensures all astronauts meet a globally recognised standard of knowledge.

Coogan officially graduated from basic training. She received astronaut certification on 22 April 2024. This qualification renders her eligible for spaceflight assignments. The subsequent stages involve advanced and mission-specific training. These are often conducted with international partners like Nasa. This prepares astronauts for the specific tasks, experiments, and potential spacewalks they will undertake on future missions. All five career astronauts from the 2022 class are expected to travel towards the International Space Station (ISS) no later than the year 2030.

Image Credit - BBC

Simulating Space: The Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory

A critical element of astronaut preparation involves training for extravehicular activities (EVAs). People commonly know these as spacewalks. Training frequently happens at a unique Nasa facility, the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL). This is situated within the Sonny Carter Training Facility, which is close to the Johnson Space Center, a key Nasa hub in Houston, Texas. Inside the NBL, one finds an exceptionally large indoor body of water, among the biggest globally. This vast aquatic environment contains full-scale mock-ups of sections of the International Space Station. Astronauts, wearing specialized suits, perform simulated EVAs underwater. This helps to simulate near-weightless conditions with high fidelity.

During these demanding sessions, which can last for over six hours, divers continuously adjust the astronaut's buoyancy. Trainees practice moving around the submerged structures, verifying their constant connection via a pair of securing tethers. Each gripping point corresponds precisely to those on the actual ISS. This builds crucial muscle memory. Such simulations test physical endurance, psychological resilience, and the ability to undertake intricate fixes and upkeep procedures under pressure.

Life Aboard the International Space Station: A Glimpse

The International Space Station (ISS) represents a marvel of engineering and international cooperation. Astronauts often live for extended periods aboard this orbiting laboratory. Rosemary Coogan's training includes familiarisation with life-sized mock-ups of the ISS modules. This offers a realistic sense of the confined environment. While the quarters can feel cramped, the breathtaking sights of Earth and the cosmos offer a unique connection to the outside. This can potentially alleviate feelings of claustrophobia. The ISS serves as a vital platform for scientific research. It is also a stepping stone for future deep space exploration missions.

Daily life on the ISS involves rigorous adherence to schedules for experiments, maintenance, and personal well-being. The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is critical. It manages atmospheric pressure, oxygen levels, fire suppression, and waste. A significant aspect of ECLSS is its water recovery system. This recycles wastewater, including urine and cabin humidity, into potable water. Recent advancements have enabled the system to recover close to 98 per cent of water. This is a crucial capability for long-duration missions beyond low Earth orbit.

The Intricacies of Spacewalking

An EVA, or spacewalk, presents a particularly demanding undertaking for any astronaut. It requires immense physical strength, particularly in the upper body, to manoeuvre in the bulky and pressurised spacesuit. The suits themselves are complex life support systems. Mental preparation is equally vital. Every movement must be efficient and precise to conserve energy and complete tasks correctly. Astronauts work in pairs during EVAs. They meticulously follow checklists for repairs or installing new equipment on the station's exterior.

Specialist personnel from a mission command centre constantly monitor spacewalking astronauts. They maintain communication and provide support. Former space station commanders, like Aki Hoshide, affiliated with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and who has completed multiple EVAs, often provide guidance to new astronauts. He comments on the significant adaptation required by trainees. There is a vast amount of information and numerous skills to master. Despite the challenges, the dedication and excitement of new astronauts are evident as they progress through their training.

Image Credit - BBC

Waste Management and Personal Hygiene in Orbit

Managing waste and maintaining hygiene are crucial aspects of life in the confined environment of the ISS. Sanitation arrangements within the spacecraft are specially designed for microgravity. One system uses air suction for fluid byproducts. Another receptacle gathers solid byproducts. Women spacefarers can choose different options regarding their menstrual cycles. These include using medication for suppression or opting for specialized filters incorporated within the liquid waste apparatus. This prevents particles from entering the water recycling system.

The purification and reuse of urine are essential for conserving water, a precious resource on long voyages. The ECLSS employs a Urine Processor Assembly (UPA). This uses vacuum distillation. The recovered water, along with other collected wastewater and cabin humidity, goes through a Water Processor Assembly (WPA) for further purification. It is then deemed drinkable. These systems are fundamental to reducing reliance on resupply missions from Earth. This is especially true for future deep-space exploration.

Britain's Legacy in Space

Rosemary Coogan follows in the distinguished footsteps of previous British astronauts who have ventured into space. Helen Sharman achieved the distinction of being Britain's inaugural space traveller in May 1991. She journeyed to Mir, the Soviet space station, as part of Project Juno. Selected from over 13,000 applicants after responding to a radio advertisement, Sharman, a chemist, underwent 18 months of rigorous training in Star City, Russia. Her eight-day mission involved conducting scientific experiments.

More recently, Tim Peake achieved the milestone as the inaugural UK astronaut from ESA to reach the ISS. His Principia mission, from December 2015 to June 2016, saw him spend over 185 days in space. He conducted numerous experiments and performed an EVA. Peake's mission also had a significant educational outreach component. It inspired many across the United Kingdom. Coogan, along with Meganne Christian (selected as an ESA reserve astronaut) and John McFall (selected for the para-astronaut feasibility study), represents the UK's continued commitment to space exploration in the ESA 2022 astronaut class.

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The Artemis Programme: A New Lunar Era

Nasa's Artemis programme has the objective of sending people back to the lunar body for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. The long-term goal is establishing a sustainable lunar presence and preparing for human missions to Mars. This ambitious endeavour involves significant international collaboration. A crucial collaborator is the European Space Agency. It contributes essential hardware like the European Service Module (ESM) for the Orion spacecraft. The ESM provides propulsion, power, water, oxygen, and thermal control for Orion.

The Artemis missions are planned in phases. Artemis I was an uncrewed test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. It successfully concluded in December 2022. Artemis II, scheduled for no earlier than February 2026, is set to be the initial flight with astronauts aboard, taking them around the Moon. Artemis III aims to land astronauts, including the first woman and first person of colour, upon the Moon's terrain. ESA has secured flight opportunities for space explorers from Europe to the Lunar Gateway (a station planned for lunar orbit) and, in due course, onto the Moon itself on later Artemis missions.

A UK Presence on the Moon?

With an expected space career spanning several decades, Rosemary Coogan is well-positioned to be part of these future lunar endeavours. Her training and expertise make her a strong candidate for missions to the Lunar Gateway and potentially the Moon itself. The prospect of becoming Britain's inaugural person to set foot upon the Moon is a tantalising one. Coogan expresses immense excitement about humanity's return to lunar exploration. She would be delighted to contribute to such historic missions. The scientific opportunities and the sheer thrill of exploring another celestial body drive her ambition.

The Saturn V rocket, which powered the Apollo missions, remains a symbol of human ingenuity in space exploration. It launched nine crewed voyages toward the Moon; it additionally transported Skylab, the first American space station, into orbit. Today, new heavy-lift rockets like Nasa's SLS are being developed to support the Artemis programme. They will usher in a new age of lunar discovery. European participation through ESA ensures that astronauts like Coogan could play a significant role in this next chapter of human spaceflight.

Image Credit - BBC

The Mental Fortitude for Space

Long-duration space missions present significant psychological challenges. Isolation, confinement in close quarters far from Earth, communication delays, and the inherent risks of space travel can impact mental health and performance. Astronauts undergo training to develop coping mechanisms for stress, fatigue, and interpersonal conflicts. These can arise in such demanding environments. Nasa and ESA conduct research on the ISS and in Earth-based analogue environments. This helps them understand and mitigate these psychological hazards.

Maintaining morale, ensuring good communication within the crew, and fostering a supportive team dynamic are crucial for mission success. Meaningful work, such as conducting experiments or even tending to a space garden, can help combat feelings of depression and boost well-being. The ability to remain calm and resourceful, especially during unexpected emergencies, is a hallmark of a well-prepared astronaut. Coogan's performance during a simulated emergency in the NBL, where she had to "rescue" an unconscious colleague, demonstrated her endurance and composure under pressure.

Advanced Training and Future Prospects

Following basic certification, astronauts like Rosemary Coogan transition to advanced and then mission-specific training. This multi-year process hones their skills for particular spacecraft, systems, and scientific payloads. Training occurs at various international partner sites. These include the Johnson Space Center, a Nasa installation, and Roscosmos's facilities in Star City. The goal is to ensure astronauts are proficient in operating all equipment related to the International Space Station, including European elements like the Columbus laboratory. They must also be prepared for any eventuality during their time in orbit.

It is the goal of the European Space Agency for all five professional astronauts from the 2022 class, including Coogan, to embark on journeys to the ISS before 2030 concludes. Recently, two of Coogan's classmates, Sophie Adenot of France and Raphaël Liégeois of Belgium, became the first from their cohort to receive mission allocations for the ISS. As international collaboration deepens with programmes like Artemis, opportunities for European astronauts to participate in lunar missions will expand. Coogan's dedication and extensive training put her in a strong position to seize these future opportunities, potentially making history for the United Kingdom.

The Enduring Allure of Exploration

The drive to explore is a fundamental human trait. Rosemary Coogan's path from an early fascination with stars to a certified astronaut embodies this spirit. Her rigorous training encompasses everything from astrophysics to underwater spacewalk simulations and survival skills. This reflects the immense dedication required to venture beyond Earth. The challenges are significant. They test physical limits and mental resilience. Yet, the prospect of contributing to scientific discovery and experiencing the universe from a unique vantage point provides powerful motivation.

As she nears the possibility of her first spaceflight, Coogan reflects on the privilege of her position. The opportunity to conduct scientific investigations aboard the International Space Station, to observe celestial bodies and our planet concurrently, is described as the ultimate reward. Diligent effort propels her nearer to this ambition. This is a dream shared by a nation hopeful of seeing a UK space explorer setting foot on the lunar landscape, furthering humanity’s reach into the cosmos.