What if the next mission by a French astronaut were to bear the name you choose for it? Arnaud Prost and Thomas Pesquet, French ESA astronauts, will be heading into space in 2027 as part of two separate missions. Thomas Pesquet will be the commander of a two-week mission to the ISS. Meanwhile, on his first space mission, Arnaud Prost will fly as a test engineer on the inaugural qualification flight of the future Haven 1 space station.
Their missions don’t have names yet: help us find one… or two!
What’s in it for the winner(s)? A meeting with the astronaut in question!
The challenge Thomas is setting you
Thomas Pesquet is set to return to space after having already completed two long-duration missions. His career as an explorer has seen him spend a record amount of time away from Earth and his loved ones, in the name of research and exploration!
Dreaming of adventure, travel and discovery, Thomas has followed in the footsteps of nine French astronauts, as well as the adventurers – real or imaginary – who came before them all over the world! His mission is a true collective epic, as Thomas will be flying as part of a crew of European astronauts – a first – and will be supported by the entire French space team involved in these missions (engineers, scientists, universities, and businesses both large and small).
Space travel, the stars and the cosmos have always fascinated me, but it’s also what drives me to set foot – or cast my gaze – where no one, or almost no one, has ever been! Today, we’re flying to the ISS because it’s the furthest we can go, but tomorrow, when new destinations emerge (or return, in the case of the Moon), we’ll be determined to reach them. It is always as a team, and for the good of all, driven by the dreams and hard work of many, that the greatest explorations and the most extraordinary journeys take place. It would make no sense to do this just for oneself.
- French ESA astronaut
Suggest a name that captures the spirit of this extraordinary collective adventure!
The challenge Arnaud is setting you
Arnaud Prost has worked as a military pilot, a professional diver and now as an astronaut: the seabed, the sky and space are extreme, demanding and risky environments that require teamwork.
From the sea to space, via the skies, his career has notably led him to study the effects of pressure changes on the human body in these different environments. On board the Haven 1 space station, he will continue this research with a scientific experiment focusing on the risk of decompression accidents in space.
This mission is particularly groundbreaking: Arnaud will be one of the few astronauts to fly aboard a brand-new manned spacecraft. An unprecedented adventure the likes of which we have not seen since the arrival of the first crew on board the ISS in 2000. Arnaud’s mission will be to test this new station, whilst teams from CNES and ESA will support him from Earth to help with its qualification.
As a child, I dreamt of exploring the oceans, living under the sea and travelling to another planet. I was inspired by the adventures of Commander Cousteau and the books of Jules Verne and Saint-Exupéry. I hope this space mission will also inspire young people to explore.
- French ESA astronaut
Suggest a name that captures this connection between the sea, the sky and space!
Why this contest?
The name of a space mission is a highly symbolic element: it can reflect the mission’s objective, the astronaut’s personality, or even the values promoted as part of this adventure.
Based on the name, a mission emblem will be created by CNES. This badge will be visible on the astronaut’s spacesuit: it will travel around the world and fly into space!
Who can enter the contest?
All residents of the European Union and Switzerland.
You may participate individually or as a group (class, club, organization, etc.).
Terms and conditions
A few tips to make your name suggestion more effective!
- A short word or a short combination of words,
- Easy to remember and pronounce in French and English,
- That resonates with everyone, especially young people, throughout Europe.
- Avoid proper nouns, except for names derived from mythology whose symbolism is widely recognized.
- Meaningful, in line with the guidelines provided above.
