The visit also gave the candidates a first-hand experience at JSC’s control centre, showcasing real-time communication and operational procedures with the Space Station, guided by Capcom. Capcom directly communicates with astronauts aboard their spacecraft at NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston.

Meanwhile, EAC oversees communication through the European Communicator and Medical Operations (EUROCOM), linking ESA's Columbus Control Centre, User Support and Operations Centres (USOCs) across Europe, and astronauts from diverse countries involved in ESA activities on the Space Station.

“Seeing Mission Control in action was like witnessing a perfectly choreographed performance. The teamwork, quick decisions, and expertise were incredible. It made me realize how much I love challenges and exploring. It inspired me that I could be part of that coordinated effort in the heart of space missions one day”, says Pablo.

Next on the programme was an all-time favourite of all future and experienced astronauts: spacewalk training. All the ESA astronaut candidates had previously received certification for diving in ESA's Neutral Buoyancy Facility (NBF) at EAC as part of their basic training, preparing them for underwater spacewalk training aimed at simulating the weightless experience of space.

During their time at NASA’s JSC, the astronaut candidates had the opportunity to explore the 12-meter-deep Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL). This facility hosts a replica of the entire Space Station, where astronauts can perform underwater simulations of spacewalks, or extravehicular activities (EVA), using the US spacesuit, known as the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU).