In space at least, European unity rules. The European Space Agency says it
will form a single astronaut corps to train personnel from across the continent
for the planned NASA-led International Space Station.
The incorporation of Europe鈥檚 various national astronaut training programmes
into ESA鈥檚 integrated corps will begin in May. In addition to streamlining
Europe鈥檚 efforts to put people in orbit, the move should save money, says an ESA
spokesman.
By 2000, a total of 16 Euro-spacefarers should be ready for service. Their
home base will be the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.
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