Ministers and winners from the 2023 "Astronaut for a Day" competition; Credit: MECO

On Tuesday 11 February 2025, Luxembourg’s Minister for the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, Minister of Sport and Minister for Labour, Georges Mischo, and Minister of Education, Children and Youth, Claude Meisch, announced the return of the “Astronaut for a Day” competition.

Organised by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), in collaboration with the ministries, this initiative aims to raise awareness among young people about opportunities in the space sector and to promote scientific and technical careers related to space exploration.

First launched in 2023, the initiative is expanding internationally this year, with parallel competitions taking place in Estonia and Austria. Additionally, a series of events and activities will be organised throughout the year to raise awareness among young people about opportunities in the space sector.

According to the organisers, talent acquisition is a major challenge for the future of the space industry, which faces strong competition in attracting highly skilled professionals. Several recent studies highlight the need to actively promote careers and training opportunities in this sector. This aligns with the Luxembourg government's objective to attract and develop talent, particularly in the space industry, a key mission of the LSA.

"The question of talent remains essential in Luxembourg and across Europe to ensure the development of various economic sectors. This is particularly true for the space sector and this competition was designed with that in mind, offering an ideal platform to spark interest among young people and the wider public in the many aspects of the space sector as well as the many professions linked to it," said Minister Delles.

"Our 'Lëtzebuerg lieft Sport' concept is based on promoting sport and physical activity from a very young age. Through the physical aptitude tests, students learn the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle as an investment in he future. This project thus provides an excellent opportunity to boost motivation and enthusiasm for sport. At the same time, it highlights the exciting profession of an astronaut and underscores the importance of physical and mental fitness for certain careers," added Minister Mischo.

The competition is open to all young people aged thirteen and above who are enrolled in school in Luxembourg. As in 2023, the selection process is modelled on international space agencies' astronaut recruitment procedures. Candidates will undergo logic and physical aptitude tests, which will take place between March and July 2025. This year, the competition has a European dimension, with an international component bringing together participants from Austria, Estonia and Luxembourg.

Finalists will join the “Astronaut for a Day” class, becoming space ambassadors within their communities and countries. They will also have a opportunity to experience weightlessness during a parabolic flight, scheduled to depart from Luxembourg on 14 October 2025.

Additionally, events such as conferences and a “Space Summer Academy” will be organised throughout the selection process to provide participants with insights into career opportunities in the space sector.

Minister Claude Meisch stated: "The 'Astronaut for a Day' competition offers young people a unique opportunity to discover a rapidly evolving sector and take on challenges that go far beyond everyday school life. By participating in the competition, they develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork and perseverance. This experience helps them better understand the opportunities available in the space sector and explore career prospects they might not have considered on their own. I hope the 2025 edition will generate strong interest among young people, both girls and boys, who will be the future talents in this field."

Further competition rules and registration details can be found at AstronautForaDay.lu.

IK