Story ID: 
AW Test Pilot for Astronaut Training
By: Mark Huber
Caption: AgustaWestland last month announced that Tim Peake, an AgustaWestland senior test pilot, was selected by the European Space Agency as the first British ast
Word Count: 83
AgustaWestland last month announced that Tim Peake, an AgustaWestland senior test pilot, was selected by the European Space Agency as the first British astronaut to join the European Astronaut Corps. The European Space Agency began looking for four new (in addition to the current eight) astronauts in May last year to conduct future missions. The selection process lasted 12 months, with the ESA receiving 8,413 valid applications. Before joining AgustaWestland this past February, Peake was part of the rotary- wing test squadron in Boscombe Down.