Will this woman be the first Briton to walk on the Moon?

Rosemary Coogan, a British astronaut, is currently training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and she is preparing for a significant challenge. Standing next to a large swimming pool, she is dressed in a white spacesuit that resembles those worn by the Apollo astronauts who first landed on the Moon. With a microphone attached to her cap, she is surrounded by a team of professionals who are assisting her in getting ready for her upcoming test. One of the team members, a woman in a striped vest and black trousers, and a man in a black T-shirt and blue jeans, are helping her put on her helmet. The process of getting into the spacesuit takes about 45 minutes, and it is a crucial step before she can attempt a spacewalk. This test will take place in NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, which is one of the largest pools in the world. The pool is 12 meters deep and contains a life-sized replica of the International Space Station (ISS). Practicing in this pool allows astronauts to experience a sensation similar to weightlessness, which is essential for their training. Rosemary, who graduated as a European Space Agency astronaut in 2024, is excited yet aware of the challenges ahead. 'It's a big day,' she says, acknowledging the physical and mental intensity of the task. As she is lowered into the water, she maintains a positive attitude, smiling and waving to those around her. From a young age, Rosemary dreamed of becoming an astronaut, but she felt it was a distant goal. 'At the careers day at school, you don't tend to meet astronauts,' she reflects. 'You don't get to meet people who've done it, you don't really get to hear their stories. ' Instead of giving up, she pursued a career in astrophysics. When the European Space Agency announced they were looking for new astronauts, she seized the opportunity and applied, ultimately being selected from over 22,000 candidates. Rosemary's training has been rigorous, and she has spent the last six months preparing for her mission to the ISS, which is expected to happen by 2030. She will follow in the footsteps of other British astronauts like Helen Sharman and Tim Peake. During her training, she has explored both the outside and inside of the ISS model. The inside of the station is quite cramped, which can be challenging for astronauts who spend extended periods in space. However, Rosemary emphasizes the breathtaking views that make it worthwhile. 'It is an isolated environment, but I think this helps to give that kind of connection to being outside – to alleviate that sense of claustrophobia,' she explains. Water is a precious resource in space, and astronauts recycle their urine to create drinkable water. Rosemary's training covers every aspect of space travel, including how to use the onboard toilet. 'The lower part is where you put your solid waste,' she explains, pointing to a unique toilet setup. 'And this funnel here is actually attached to an air suction system, and that is where you put your liquid waste. ' She also discusses how female astronauts can manage their periods while in space, highlighting the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. In the pool, divers work to adjust Rosemary's buoyancy, making her experience as close to microgravity as possible. She must carefully navigate the submerged structure, using hooks to secure herself as she practices her movements. Each handhold is strategically placed to mimic the real ISS, which is vital for her muscle memory. 'You do a lot of mental preparation – you really think through every single movement,' she notes. 'You have to be really efficient with your energy.