The second edition of "Astronaut for a Day" came to a spectacular conclusion on October 15, 2025, as 14 young Luxembourgers experienced something that very few humans will in their lifetime! Aboard an Airbus A310 operated by Novespace, they dropped 2,500 meters repeatedly, defying gravity for 20-22 seconds over the course of 16 parabolas.
Despite popular belief, parabolic flights aren’t a simulation of space conditions, they recreate the actual conditions astronauts experience in space. There’s no such thing as absence of gravity, rather, it's a state of continuous free-fall where gravitational forces are still present but not felt. Just like the aircraft during its parabolic arc, the International Space Station is constantly falling towards Earth, creating the sensation of weightlessness. This is why the ISS must regularly fire its thrusters to boost its orbit, compensating for atmospheric drag at approximately 400km altitude that gradually slows it down.
Such missions typically enable astronauts to familiarise themselves with the struggles of zero gravity without having to leave Earth and learn to work in collaboration with scientists to conduct experiments in microgravity conditions.
From 426 Candidates to 15 Space Ambassadors
The selection process is meant to mirror the European Space Agency's actual astronaut selection process which represents one of the most competitive in the world, testing cognitive abilities, physical endurance, psychological resilience, and teamwork skills—over 22,000 candidates compete for just a handful of positions.
In the same spirit, AFAD candidates underwent a series of challenges which took place from March to July. The first step was a video and resume submission where applicants had to convince the jury of their motivation. 250 candidates were then selected to pass the logic tests, designed to assess cognitive abilities under a strict time constraint. After this stage, the top 100 candidates advanced to the physical trials, testing their endurance, strength, and resilience.
Interviews, held in June, determined the 14 finalists + 1 reserve Astronaut who would take flight wearing LSA branded space suits, symbolising their commitment as LU Space Ambassadors: Alexander Arcq, Annabelle Zambeaux, Celeste Girard, Darius Daxhelet Hopp, Darius Ferent, Georgii Sergeev, Gilles Conil-Lacoste, Lara Kalanke, Léopold Veneau, Liam Bandeiras Mersch, Lou Graffé, Matei Radu, Pierre Sauvegrain, Shamiran Di Brindisi and Tim Dupont.
A day they will forever remember!
There's an undeniable fun side to true weightlessness, Martian gravity and lunar gravity and the aspiring astronauts enjoyed every second of it! They were floating, flipping, often colliding and had their best laughs throughout the flight but the educational dimension remained central to the mission. Indeed, they conducted a series of scientific experiments under zero gravity alongside Carmen Possnig , Austrian physician and European Space Agency reserve astronaut and Jean-François Clervoy, ESA astronaut who flew three times to space on Space Shuttle missions in the 90’.
Upon their return to the ground, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden greeted them, accompanied by Marc Serres, CEO of the Luxembourg Space Agency, Andreas Geisler, Head of Aeronautics and Space Agency at the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), and Dr. Karin Proidl, Ambassador of Austria in Luxembourg.
The emotion reached its peak as parents and teachers watched their young ones be rewarded with official certificates attesting to this incredible achievement and setting them for their journey representing the Luxembourg space industry to their respective communities. For a whole year, the LSA will support them in their projects, provide them with the needed resources and guide them in spreading their passion to the newer generations.
A new dimension for the 2025 edition
This year’s edition welcomed students from Estonia and Austria, reflecting the broader European effort to develop talent for the future of the space industry. This collaboration brought together 40 young people from three nations, united by their passion for space.
Another major novelty was the introduction of the Summer Space Academy, created to help students explore different career paths in space and equip them with the necessary tools for their role as ambassadors. Three webinars were organised in collaboration with the Austrian Research Promotion Agency and the Estonian Space Office throughout the programme. The first webinar on "Space Resources" was led by Timon Schild, PhD candidate at the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC), followed by "Mars Exploration in 3D" presented by Gerhard Paar from JOANNEUM RESEARCH, who shared insights from his experience on NASA and ESA missions. The final webinar, "Inside the Astronaut's Mind: Preparing for the Teamwork Challenges of Space," featured expert Andres Käossar exploring the psychological preparation essential for successful missions.
Thanks to our Partnerships and Sponsors!
This year's edition was supported by our sponsors, namely ClearSpace , Redwire Space and SES, which took an active role in shaping the future of Luxembourg's space sector by mentoring three LU Space Ambassadors and Lux Aiport which welcomed us in their exclusive quarters!
Of course, none of this would be possible without the continued support of our partners: Ministry of the Economy Luxembourg, the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth, André Losch Foundation, and the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR).
Astronaut For a Day initiative wins an FNR Award for its 2023 edition!
On Thursday, October 23, at the 17th edition of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) Awards at the Maison des Arts et des Étudiants in Esch/Belval, the inaugural 2023 edition of "Astronaut for a Day" received prestigious recognition in the "Outstanding Promotion of Science to the Public" category. The prize was handed to LSA’s , Head of Communication and Talent Development Juliette Pertuy and her team Maia Haas, Maud Marocki, Selima Malsagova as well as LSA’s Manager Exploration & Science, Bo Byloos.
The FNR stated:
Inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers, 'Astronaut for a Day' offered 35 secondary school students a once-in-a-lifetime experience: flying in zero gravity. Organised by the Luxembourg Space Agency Foundation, this initiative combined a rigorous selection process with hands-on experiments in microgravity. More than a single event, the programme supported the students for a full year, turning them into ambassadors for science and space careers. Especially aimed at motivating young women, it addressed a growing talent gap in the space sector while making the physics of spaceflight tangible and inspiring.
Watch the presentation video to know everything about the last edition!
