Rosemary Coogan graduated from the European Astronaut Centre on 22 April 2024 as part of the agency's 2022 astronaut cohort. Her transition into the European Astronaut Corps followed an extensive academic background in astrophysics and professional experience in data science, establishing a technical foundation for her selection by the European Space Agency.
Academic and Military Foundations
Born in Belfast in 1991, Coogan pursued physics at Durham University, where she earned an undergraduate degree in 2013 and later completed a master's research project focused on gamma-ray astronomy under Paula Chadwick. Her early training included significant military involvement; she served as a petty officer with the Sea Cadets and progressed to Midshipman within the Royal Naval Reserve after joining HMS Calliope and HMS Example in 2009.
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Coogan moved to the University of Sussex for doctoral research into galaxy evolution and active galactic nuclei. Her work identified that dense cluster environments correlate with increased star formation efficiency, which she linked to interactions and mergers within those systems. She also refined her expertise in data science during a placement at Senseye, where she engineered machine learning models for detecting robotic sensor anomalies.
Professional Evolution and Space Agency Roles
Before her astronaut selection, Coogan relocated to Germany to study galaxy evolution via space-based telescopes at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. In 2022, she joined the CNES to work on the Euclid and James Webb Space Telescope missions. Following her inclusion in the 2022 European Space Agency Astronaut Group, she completed basic training with the group known as The Hoppers. In 2026, she participated in the ESA CAVES course in the Italian Apennines and received an honorary Doctor of Science from Durham University.
Fast facts
- Born: 1991, Belfast
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Education: Durham University (2015), University of Sussex (2019)
- Languages: French, German, English
- Professional Membership: International Astronomical Union
- Astronaut Group: 2022 European Space Agency Astronaut group
Questions readers ask
What is Coogan's primary research focus?
Her research focuses on galaxy evolution, the activity of active galactic nuclei, and observations utilizing space-based telescopes.
Which major space telescope missions has she contributed to?
Coogan worked on the Euclid and the James Webb Space Telescope while appointed to the CNES in 2022.
Achievements
- Affiliated with European Space Agency
- Educated at Durham University and University of Sussex
- Worked as astrophysicist and astronaut
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