The drive to explore uncharted frontiers often stems from personal experiences that shape one’s character and aspirations. For Meganne Christian, a 37-year-old engineering graduate from Wollongong, that spark for adventure was ignited in one of the most extreme environments on Earth—Antarctica. It was here, while stationed at the remote Concordia Station, that Christian’s passion for space exploration took root, eventually propelling her to be selected as a reservist astronaut for the European Space Agency (ESA). Her journey is a testament to the power of exploration, resilience, and an unyielding curiosity about the universe beyond.
Humble Beginnings and Early Influences
Christian’s story begins in the United Kingdom, where she was born to New Zealand parents. At the age of five, her family moved to Wollongong, Australia, where Christian quickly developed a love for adventure. The proximity to the beach and her family’s passion for outdoor activities fueled her adventurous spirit. A black belt in the Korean martial art of Hapkido was just one of her early accomplishments, signaling a life that would be defined by challenge and exploration.
READ MORE: Rising Temperatures and Ocean Acidification Threaten Marine Life, New Study Warns
“My family’s go-to holiday, if it wasn’t camping at Christmas, was going whitewater rafting somewhere,” she recalls. “It was a passion of my dad’s, and so I’ve done many whitewater rafting holidays, and that has led into doing other kinds of adventure sports as well.”
Her academic path, marked by an engineering degree and a PhD in industrial chemistry, further solidified her readiness for the challenges she would face in the future. After completing her studies at the University of New South Wales, she moved to Italy to work as a researcher at the National Research Council of Italy, where her focus was on nanomaterials and alternative energy applications. Her time in Italy added another layer to her eclectic background, contributing to her four citizenships—Australian, New Zealander, British, and Italian.
The Crucible of Antarctica
However, it was Christian’s year-long research stint in Antarctica that became the most formative chapter of her journey toward space. Stationed at Concordia, often dubbed “White Mars” due to its desolate conditions and isolation, Christian faced a set of physical and mental challenges that pushed her beyond her limits. The harsh weather, with temperatures reaching minus 104 degrees Celsius with wind chill, was tough enough. Yet, it was the mental strain of being isolated with just 12 others for an entire year that would test her endurance in ways that would prepare her for life in space.
“The physical conditions were tough. It got down to minus 104 degrees Celsius wind chill. I was working outside every day. We had 100 days where the sun didn’t rise. But I think the mental challenge was the bigger one,” she reflects. “There were just 13 of us. We were isolated. There was no way of being evacuated if something happened.”
Christian’s role overseeing the atmospheric physics and meteorology observatory required frequent trips to a high-altitude shelter, often a grueling climb up a 45-meter tower in snow and ice. Despite the difficult conditions, there was beauty to be found in the Antarctic nights. The star-filled skies, lit by the Milky Way, were a reminder of the vast universe that awaited beyond.
“We would turn our headlamps off, and if it was a moonless day, we would be able to see so many stars, and they were so bright that we could see our shadow in the light of the Milky Way,” she remembers.
This awe-inspiring experience in Antarctica deepened Christian’s curiosity about space and the cosmos, setting her on the path toward becoming an astronaut.
From Antarctica to Astronaut Training
Christian’s pursuit of space exploration led her to apply for the European Space Agency’s astronaut program. The selection process was rigorous and highly competitive. Of 22,500 applicants, she was one of only 17 chosen to be a reservist astronaut. The lengthy process involved a battery of memory, medical, and psychological tests, followed by intense interviews where she was asked to respond to hypothetical scenarios, including one that would stump even the most seasoned space professionals. When asked how she would explain to a nine-year-old the risks of space exploration, particularly in light of the 1986 Challenger disaster, Christian was forced to confront her own understanding of space travel.
“The toughest part of the process was answering questions like, ‘Why would I want to go to space if I might not come back?'” she recalls. “But I tried to relate it to situations a child might encounter, like wanting to learn about things and maybe climbing a tree knowing that you might fall, but you want to get up there and learn more about it.”
This sense of adventure, mixed with a desire to understand the unknown, was something Christian had cultivated throughout her life. It was also what drove her to become part of the ESA’s astronaut reserve.
Astronaut Training: The Reality of Space Exploration
In January 2023, Christian began her astronaut reserve training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. The training environment, which brings together engineers, scientists, doctors, and pilots, covers a wide range of disciplines, from human behavior in space to the technical aspects of spacewalks. One of the highlights of her training was her first experience in a neutral buoyancy pool, where candidates practice for extra-vehicular activities (EVAs)—spacewalks.
“We were learning about leadership skills, situational awareness, and putting all these things together so we can work well as a team when we’re on a space mission,” she explains.
Christian’s excitement about the training was palpable, particularly when she donned her first flight suit. It marked a milestone in her journey, a tangible symbol of her dream to one day venture into space.
“It was definitely a ‘pinch-me’ moment,” she says. “It’s just a blue overall, but it’s so representative of the astronaut corps, and it makes you feel like you’re part of it.”
The Road Ahead: Exploring New Frontiers
As a member of the astronaut reserve, there are no guarantees that Christian will get to fly into space. However, with the rise of commercial space travel and the growing frequency of space missions, her opportunities to go to space are increasing. Some of her fellow reservists have already flown, and she remains hopeful that she will one day follow in their footsteps.
“I would be particularly interested in going to another star system and seeing exoplanets and whether there is life elsewhere in the universe,” she says. “At first, I’d like to get to the International Space Station, but eventually, I hope to make it to the moon or even Mars.”
The future holds endless possibilities for Meganne Christian, whose journey from the icy expanse of Antarctica to the vast unknowns of space is just beginning.
Christian’s story reminds us that the path to the stars is often shaped by extraordinary experiences, grit, and a deep curiosity about the universe. As commercial space travel continues to evolve, astronauts like Christian represent the pioneers who will one day venture into the cosmos, driven by the same adventurous spirit that led them to explore the remotest corners of the Earth.
