It handles all relevant training data, from preparation to implementation and evaluation. It can be remotely accessed and in future will be linked to the Space Station partners training database systems. Computer-based training lectures have been set up with support from industry and universities. Their key advantage is their portability in a worldwide training environment, the Space Station partners having agreed on common standards. Mission-oriented training may also take place on the facilities of the partner in the mission to which the astronauts have been assigned.
International cooperation is the key to achieving ambitious goals.
The EAC cooperates closely with NASA, where ESA astronauts have been trained as Mission Specialists. Recent milestones were the Hubble Space Telescope First Servicing Mission, in which an ESA astronaut played a key role, and the participation in the Atlas-3 mission. In addition, two ESA Mission Specialists are included in the crew of the STS-75 mission scheduled for February 1996. Since 1991, close cooperation has been established with the Russian Cosmonaut Training Centre at Star City, near Moscow. Afamiliarisation course for ESA astronaut candidates and training personnel in Star City in 1992 provided important new experience which was the first step towards participation in Mir missions.