MCG Ph.D. candidate Eleonore was recently interviewed by journalist Daniel Dubouloz for the Swiss aerospace magazine Cockpit Magazin. The interview was titled “Eleonore Poli: auf dem weg ins all” (Eng: Eleonore Poli: journey to the aerospace).
Eleonore shared with Minfei her first-hand feedback and excitement for the astronaut career after the interview was released out a week ago. “No better way to celebrate than by reading it in between experiments for my PhD.” Eleonore commented, and further expressed her appreciation for the AdvancingX and IDUN Technologies for helping her on the way to space.
Below is the behind-the-scene story Eleonore shared with Minfei. It’s it just fantastic to read the story as Eleonore’s birthday special issue? Please enjoy!
"Cockpit magazine is a swiss aerospace magazine that contacted me in January. They heard about me after I gave several talks for swiss schools and was the guest of two podcasts, all on the theme of believing in dreams and becoming an astronaut. They were interested in knowing more about my dream to become an astronaut and my training as an analogue astronaut. With the European Space Agency recruiting astronauts this year (first time in 13 years), becoming an astronaut is an extremely hot topic. I will apply for this recruitment round although I'm slightly too young for it, because preparing for it is taking a serious step closer to the stars. I love that my research in the department helps in bringing me closer to becoming an astronaut, by training my resilience, my knowledge in material resistance in harsh environments and deepening my knowledge in science and engineering.
In the interview, I discuss my experience as an analogue astronaut. So far, I have received training in public speaking, psychology, nutrition, health and safety, leadership, space exploration and history, but also in survival skills ! I built an igloo, did scuba diving by night in a frozen lake, slept in a tent in a snowstorm. As the commander for two analogue missions, I will be leading teams in isolation, performing together experiments, respecting tight flight plans and eating and drinking designated types and quantities of food. One analogue mission will be in a tunnel inside a mountain and last 10 days, the other in a lava tube in Iceland for 48h ! These analogue missions prepare us and prepare scientists for Moon and Mars settlements. My favourite argument for analogue missions is the following : 'We must fail down here so we succeed up there'
As a scientist, an athlete and ever curious person, becoming an astronaut would be the dream job. In addition, the Space community is a wonderful one, with people from every horizon getting together to share and grow knowledge. I love being part of this community and get butterflies in my stomach every time I think about working on the Moon or Mars, as a scientist and an astronaut. I was even more thrilled when I saw direct application of my PhD research for the performance of satellite hardware, as it conciliates my every day work with my dream: space exploration brings a difference in everyday human life, if my PhD does apply to Space exploration, then I'm making a difference too!"