Complex sentence: In 1977 Furrer applied for selection as an astronaut for the first Spacelab mission and made it into the final round of candidates, although Ulf Merbold was finally selected.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1977 Furrer applied for selection as an astronaut for the first Spacelab mission. He made it into the final round of candidates, although Ulf Merbold was finally selected.