Question 1

What is the background to the Astronaut for a day campaign?

Accepted Answer

The Astronaut for a day – Luxembourg initiative is sponsored by the Luxembourg Space Agency. It is open to all young people aged 13 or more in secondary education who have an interest in space and are studying in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

One of the Luxembourg Space Agency's educational tasks is to interest and educate young people in science subjects (engineering, research and others). This is done by initiatives like this one and projects in cooperation with its partners: the European Space Education Research Office (ESERO), Luxembourg Tech School and others. Thanks to events like these, they can explore the opportunities associated with space. A chance to fire the imagination of the talents of tomorrow!

Important note: this initiative is not limited to students on science and technology courses. Space is for everyone!

Question 2

When will the Astronaut for a day parabolic flight take place?

Accepted Answer

The parabolic flight will take place on 15 October 2025. First, there will be team-building activities arranged by the organiser for the 10 successful applicants.

Question 3

Who can apply to be an Astronaut for a day?

Accepted Answer

All secondary school students (classical, general or technical) enrolled in a public or private educational institution in Luxembourg, or who can prove that they are in secondary education at home. To apply, you must be at least 13 years old on the date of the flight and must be in secondary education in the academic years 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Here are some examples which may help:

I’m 19 one month before the flight and in my penultimate year of secondary education during the current academic year 2024-25. Can I apply? Yes, you can. You meet all the criteria. 
I’m going to be 13 the day after the parabolic flight. Can I apply? Sorry, but no. Everyone selected to go on the parabolic flight must be at least 13 on the day of the flight. But if your birthday is on the same day as the flight, you can apply.

Question 4

I’m disabled. Can I be an Astronaut for a day?

Accepted Answer

One place on the flight is open to disabled candidates. You must not have any medical conditions which would be contraindicating to parabolic flight. If you are interested, you are welcome to contact us so that we can arrange a preliminary interview between your doctor and our parabolic flight medical commission, to assess the feasibility of your participation.

In case of a favorable medical opinion, applicants will follow an adapted selection process.

Question 5

Is participation in Astronaut for a day free of charge?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is free to apply and to participate in the various stages of this process.

Question 6

What are the stages of selection for Astronaut for a day?

Accepted Answer

The selection process for Astronaut for a day – Luxembourg is inspired of the selection processes for astronauts, run by space agencies worldwide. It will consist of 6 separate stages as follows:

Stage 1: Application and cover letter
Stage 2: Reasoning and comprehension tests
Stage 3: Physical fitness
Stage 4: Interview 
Stage 5: Medical check-up
Stage 6: Parabolic flight

After assessment of the applications submitted at Stage 1, 250 candidates will be selected for the reasoning and comprehension tests: this is the second stage of the competition, which takes the form of an online test.  This means you can take the test at home or at school. No need to travel.

100 applicants will proceed to the physical fitness stage, with physical and motor function tests in person. 
Next comes the stage which tests your communication skills at interview. Up to 40 applicants will be short-listed for this stage. Interviewing will take place online, via a platform to be notified later, and you will be assessed by a panel.

The 10 applicants who achieve the best assessments will be selected for the parabolic flight, subject to a favorable medical check-up. The Luxembourg Space Agency will announce the successful applicants.

Question 7

How should I submit my application?

Accepted Answer

Application via the website astronautforaday.lu is mandatory. You will find the application form there, which also requires you to submit a mini-CV and a parental consent form. At a later stage, you will be sent a link to record a video about why you would like to go on the flight.

PLEASE NOTE: Both stages are necessary to validate your participation in Astronaut for a day – Luxembourg. If you submit a completed application form but do not record the video, your application will be discarded as incomplete.

Question 8

What do I have to write in the required mini-CV?

Accepted Answer

The CV is a good way for us to get to know you and find out more about you. If you have no working experience, please describe your detailed pathway through school. Let us know your existing strengths and skills which you think you would need to become a one-day astronaut. Tell us about your hobbies or any activity you really enjoy, for example.

Tip: we encourage you to show originality and creativity in writing your CV, in both form and content. One page of A4 will be plenty.

Question 9

Why should I record a video and what should I record?

Accepted Answer

The video is to tell us why you want to be an astronaut for a day. You will have 60 seconds to explain why we should pick you and persuade us to let you through to the next stage. The video can be in the language of your choice: either English, French or Luxembourgish.

Tip: be clear, precise and, above all: wow us!

Question 10

What should I do to receive the video recording link, once I have completed and submitted my application form?

Accepted Answer

Don't panic! You will probably not receive the video recording link immediately after submitting your entry form. Our team will first screen applicants against the eligibility criteria: age and being in education. Video links will be sent within 24 hours of the end of this stage except during weekends.

Here are some specific examples to help explain the process:

I completed the form in the late afternoon, during the evening or at night: when will I receive my video link? Your invitation to record a video will arrive the day after, in daytime. 
I submitted my application at 7 o’clock this morning or at midday. When will I receive my video link? You may receive your link by the same time tomorrow. 
I submitted my application on a Friday night or Saturday, when will I receive my video link? Your link will be sent to you the following Monday.

On receiving your link to record a video, you have seven days to record and submit it to validate your entry for the first stage of the competition.  N.B: if no video is received by the set deadline, your entry will be treated as void and we cannot consider it further.
If you meet the criteria and receive no link to record a video 48 hours after submitting your application and receiving an acknowledgement for it, please contact us via the contact form.

Question 11

Are there any official documents to send during the selection procedure?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are. If you go through to the reasoning test stage, each of your legal representatives must sign a consent form and provide a digital copy of their respective identity documents so that you can follow the process. The organisers will send the form to the contact e-mail you gave in your application. If you have a single legal representative, you only have to return a single signed consent. If you have two legal representatives (e.g. both parents), each must sign a consent form and provide a copy of an ID.

Only applicants who proceed to the second stage have to send the consent form. The consent must be sent no later than two days before the date of this stage.

A school certificate may also be requested during the selection process.

Question 12

What if one (or more) successful applicants cannot go on the parabolic flight?

Accepted Answer

If this happens, the space agency will allocate their place(s) to one or more other applicants, in order of the best score attained at Stage 4, from 11th to 15th place. For this purpose, a list of 5 reserve astronauts will be published when the successful applicants for this edition are known.

Question 13

I was not selected to continue the Astronaut for a day adventure. Why?

Accepted Answer

It's a shame and we’re really sorry.

The selection process is based on a scoring system linking the criteria of eligibility, reasons for applying, interest in space, performance in the reasoning and comprehension tests, performance in the physical tests and communication skills.

Applicants are assessed at each stage in a spirit of respect, inclusion and impartiality towards aspiring astronauts for a day. 
  
By applying for Astronaut for a day, you accept the risk that your application may not be successful.

Question 14

I've already submitted my application for the 2023 edition. Can I resend it for this new edition?

Accepted Answer

If you weren't a finalist, we encourage you to try again!

FAQ

Frequently asked questions