People with physical disabilities were previously excluded from one of the most exclusive and demanding jobs on earth due to strict selection requirements.
Guillaume Wertz, head of space medicine at the European Space Agency, told AFP the agency’s “project” required “a complete change of philosophy” around the concept of medical fitness, which originally came from choosing military pilots and fighters.
After conducting a feasibility study, the European Space Agency said potential candidates could include people with disabilities in their lower limbs, whether due to amputations or birth defects.
Shorter people, up to 1.30m tall, or with different leg lengths, can also apply.
The educational and psychological requirements for applicants remained the same as for any other astronaut. Applications closed in June 2021.
The European Space Agency is expected to designate between four and six new European astronauts – without disabilities – during its cabinet meeting in Paris on Wednesday.
While the parastronaut project works somewhat detachedly, Weerts said, “there is a real possibility that, as part of the advertisement, one or more persons with disabilities may be singled out.”
‘Disability is not a limitation’
In the hyper-fine world of space travel, even small changes can become very complex and expensive. “For example, current systems are designed for people of a certain height,” Werse said.
“What does this mean for someone who’s smaller? How can we make sure that person can get to the buttons?”
ESA plans to work with those selected to find the best way to overcome these potential challenges. As a member of the selection committee, Weerts could not divulge details about specific candidates, but said that “a large group of people” applied and worked and worked through the selection process.
“We found absolutely amazing individuals. The operation was great demonstration that disability is not a limitation. It really is something we all believe in,” he said, adding that there was a high level of commitment to the project from ESA partners.
So when can disabled astronauts travel? “Space is not a business for people who are in a hurry,” Werts said.
It’s hard to predict the timeline because it “really depends on what we find,” he said, adding that more work will be done once ESA has selected its candidates.
But Wirts revealed that a disabled astronaut could be launched into space “potentially within the next 10 years.”
“incredibly exciting”
Kamran Malik, chief executive of the charity Disability Rights UK, said the project was “very exciting”.
“People with disabilities are excluded in large ways from everything we do in the world,” he told AFP.
“If we really want to explore the universe, we have to accept that we can’t have it for a certain group of individuals.”
Malek applauded the European Space Agency’s plan to work with astronauts to figure out exactly what they need.
“I use a wheelchair,” he said, “and it’s a lot better if people ask me what works for me, what I need, than make assumptions about what someone else can and can’t do.”
Malick said that while watching a space shuttle launch as a teenager, he dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
“Of course, but I was soon told that this will not happen. Do not dream of being an astronaut,” he said, stressing, “I would like to pursue this dream now.”
“Hardcore alcohol maven. Hipster-friendly analyst. Introvert. Devoted social media advocate.”
