The European Space Agency new astronauts

The European Space Agency new astronauts Italian Luca Parmitano (2L), German Alexander Gerst (3L), Danish Andreas Mogensen (4L), Italian Samantha Cristoforetti (C), British Timothy Peake (3R) and French Thomas Pesquet (2R) pose along with Simonetta Di Pippo, ESA's Director of Human Spaceflight (L) and ESA's director general Jean-Jacques Dordain (R) during a press conference presenting the six new astronauts, selected after a gruelling, year-long vetting process that began with more than 8,400 applicants, at the ESA headquarters in Paris, on May 20, 2009. The new recruits range in age 31 to 37 years old, and are the first to join the European Astronaut Corps since 1992. This is only the second selection process ever carried out by the ESA. AFP PHOTO STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN (Photo credit should read STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)