The Spanish scientist embarks on an intense training regimen, gearing up for an extraordinary journey into space. EL PAÍS accompanies her on this remarkable adventure.
Training Regimen
Sara García’s opportunity to train as an astronaut is nothing short of a dream come true, yet it comes with its share of challenges. Imagine months spent in an enclosed space, where every drop of water is recycled, and each day is filled with demanding experiments. It’s a high-stakes pursuit; in previous missions, one in 35 candidates faced perilous outcomes. Despite such risks, a staggering 23,000 qualified applicants competed for merely 17 positions with the European Space Agency (ESA). These selected few will embark on what many call humanity’s grandest mission: heading to the International Space Station (ISS) and paving the path for future manned lunar expeditions. Among this elite group is 35-year-old Sara García from Spain, who began her extensive preparations on October 28, focusing on surviving the unknown.
As the sun rises over Cologne at 7 a.m., García welcomes two reporters from EL PAÍS into her temporary home near the beautiful Cologne Cathedral. On her windowsill sits a charming crocheted capybara, a testament to her crafty side, which she recently created from colorful wool. After quickly brewing a cup of coffee, she ventures out, borrowing a car to make her way to the European Astronaut Centre where her rigorous six-month training program kicks off.
Once she arrives, she meets Hervé Stevenin, a seasoned astronaut instructor. They stand at the edge of one of the largest swimming pools in the world, which stretches down to 10 meters and holds nearly four million liters of water. Here, hopeful astronauts practice the art of weightlessness inside modules mimicking those found on the ISS. Stevenin shares the thrilling tale of Luca Parmitano, the Italian astronaut who narrowly escaped disaster during a spacewalk due to a severe equipment malfunction. He stresses the importance of building resilience to face discomfort and adversity, lessons that will serve García well in high-pressure scenarios.
Survival Training and Physical Fitness
García’s training is relentless. By mid-December, she is scheduled to head to a discreet location in the Spanish Pyrenees, where she’ll hone survival skills alongside four fellow rookie astronauts. Together, they will master vital techniques such as constructing igloos, managing fire, and executing emergency rescues in extreme conditions, all vital for any unexpected situations they may face in space.
Since being chosen as part of ESA’s astronaut program, García has become a national sensation in Spain. She shares a unique bond with Pablo Álvarez, a fellow astronaut slated for a six-month ISS mission prior to 2030. Hailing from León and born just days apart, they often finish each other’s thoughts.
While Álvarez enjoys the status of a full-fledged astronaut, García currently stands by in the reserve group, awaiting her turn for a potential mission. She holds out hope that the Spanish government will support private missions to the ISS, similar to those pursued by other countries. With opportunities from American company Axiom Space available at a hefty price, she dreams of reaching for the stars, potentially as soon as late 2026.
At 9:30 a.m., she steps into the gym at the European Astronaut Centre, affectionately dubbed “Cosmos Gym.” The walls are adorned with striking images of fitness icons like Bruce Lee and Arnold Schwarzenegger, plus a fun illustration of Popeye flaunting his biceps. With these inspirations in mind, García commits to her fitness regimen, exercising five days a week, and dedicating a sixth day to a grueling 20-kilometer walk. Her routine includes sprinting, deadlifting, vertical leaps, kettlebell workouts, squats, and boxing, all crucial for her physical and mental readiness.
Sergi Vaquer, ESA’s chief medical officer, oversees her health, emphasizing that astronauts must maintain peak physical condition and mental sharpness for their demanding missions. His goal is to ensure that candidates like García can navigate any scenario, including mastering essential first-aid techniques to assist a colleague in crises aboard the ISS.
The Path Ahead
Narrowing down the selection for this astronaut cohort proved intense. The ESA sifted through the original 23,000 candidates via rigorous psychological and medical assessments, ultimately narrowing it down to just 17, including García and Álvarez.
As part of today’s regimen, García undergoes a routine health check. Vaquer explains that astronauts must understand medical protocols to effectively tackle emergencies in space. He highlights the unique challenge of administering CPR in a zero-gravity environment, where techniques must adapt to the distinct conditions of space.
Armed with her biotechnology degree from the University of León and experience at Madrid’s National Cancer Research Center, García has poured her dedication into cancer research. However, she finds herself volunteering for training, as ESA compensation primarily covers career astronauts. Generously, Álvarez has lent her his apartment and car keys to aid in her transition to this thrilling journey.
At the entrance of the European Astronaut Centre, a statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, stands as a tribute to past achievements and a call to future explorers. Nearby, a rock from the Apollo 16 mission serves as both a relic of history and a hopeful beacon. As García moves through this facility, she eventually finds herself in a replica of the Columbus module, dressed in her flight suit, ready to seize her envisioned future.
Reflecting on her path, a vivid memory arises—witnessing the moonrise during a concert, envisioning the beauty she might one day see from space. The thought that this dream could soon become a reality fills her with anticipation and gratitude.
As humanity embarks on its next lunar mission, marked by Artemis I’s re-entry to the moon, García watches the ISS through a smartphone app, often gazing up on clear nights for a glimpse of the space station. Enthralled by the tales of those who have travelled before her, she eagerly anticipates the incredible journey ahead—an adventure poised to transform her life forever.
With unwavering courage and determination, Sara García prepares to embrace the challenges that lie ahead, nurturing the hope that one day she will bright as a “shooting star.”
Source: Elpais
