Wanted: British women from all backgrounds who want to go to space

European Space Agency extends deadline for once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to be an astronaut

British women are being encouraged to seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to go to space, after the European Space Agency (Esa) extended its deadline to apply to be one of its new astronauts.

The agency is seeking to recruit 26 astronauts - a process only undertaken once in about a decade - and is hoping to attract a more diverse cohort. People with some disabilities are being urged to put themselves forward for the first time.