Leyre Bolea Cuartero, a student at the public institute Miguel de Molinos in Zaragoza, has been selected as an ambassador by the Spanish Space Agency. At 17 years old, she was chosen from among 400 candidates from all over Spain after participating in the Astronaut for a Day project. Her goal of becoming an astronaut takes a firm step forward. 🚀
The selection process and technical preparation 🛰️
The Astronaut for a Day project replicates real ESA training phases, including physical endurance tests, zero-gravity simulations, and problem-solving under pressure. The 400 applicants passed psychotechnical and physical filters. Leyre demonstrated teamwork skills and adaptation to hostile environments. Now, as an ambassador, she will collaborate on scientific outreach and the promotion of STEM careers among young people.
Meanwhile, on Earth, we still can't find the keys 🔑
Leyre already knows how to survive weightlessness, but she has not yet confirmed if she can locate a lost pen at the bottom of a high school backpack. Her classmates look at her with respect, although some joke: if she can already pilot a spaceship, maybe she can explain why the classroom wifi always goes down at 11:30.