The Agencia Espacial Española (AEE) has officially launched the pilot edition of “Astronaut for a Day”, a strategic initiative that will allow up to 30 upper-secondary and STEM undergraduate students to experience what it feels like to be an astronaut in space—without leaving Earth’s atmosphere. The program offers a unique educational experience that replicates the selection and training phases of astronauts, culminating in a parabolic flight under real microgravity conditions.

The program, scheduled for May 5 and 6 in collaboration with the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio, aims primarily to inspire scientific and technological vocations in Spain. Participants will undergo rigorous space-style preparation and, after their training at San Javier Air Base (Murcia), will be officially appointed Space Ambassadors, tasked with sharing their experience with society.

Immersion in Microgravity: The Flight Experience

The highlight of the program will be participation in a parabolic flight aboard the Airbus A310 ZERO-G, the reference aircraft used by the European Space Agency (ESA) to train its astronaut corps. The flight will take place on May 6, 2026, at San Javier Air Base as part of a specialized two-day training program.

During the mission, the aircraft will perform controlled parabolas, generating periods of weightlessness lasting between 20 and 25 seconds each. In these phases, participants will experience total absence of weight and the freedom of movement typical of a space mission. While floating, they will carry out spatial orientation protocols and small educational experiments designed to directly observe the physical effects of microgravity in a high-level aeronautical environment.

Participant Profile: Who Can Apply?

The call is open to a maximum of 30 young people aged between 16 and 22 who are enrolled in institutions within the Spanish education system during the 2025–2026 academic year. The program reserves places for two specific groups:

Up to 25 places for first- and second-year Bachillerato (upper-secondary) students.

Up to 5 places for undergraduate students officially enrolled in STEM degree programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Interested applicants have until March 16 to submit their applications via the official website: astronautaporundia.aee.gob.es.

The Selection Process: How Candidates Will Be Chosen

To ensure excellence and equal opportunity, the Agency has designed a four-stage, successive and eliminatory selection process:

Academic Phase: Initial evaluation based on the applicant’s grade point average from the previous academic year.

Motivation Assessment: Evaluation of a short video in which candidates explain their interest in the space sector and demonstrate their communication skills.

Medical Certification: Mandatory medical examination at the Centro de Instrucción de Medicina Aeroespacial (CIMA) in Madrid to verify the health conditions required for participation.

Final allocation of places will depend on the suitability of the candidates. If not all required profiles are met or if the expected level of participation is not reached, some places may remain vacant.

Commitment to Outreach: Space Ambassadors

After completing the training phase, participants will be officially appointed Ambassadors of the Spanish Space Agency. This honorary recognition entails a one-year commitment to take part in scientific outreach activities aimed at inspiring other young people to lead the future of Spain’s space sector.

The program forms part of the Agency’s initiatives to promote young talent, foster equal opportunities, and bring space closer to society, highlighting its impact on scientific, technological, and industrial development, as well as its contribution to collective well-being.

All updated information and official guidelines are available at: https://astronautaporundia.aee.gob.es