Six Europeans, five astronauts and a “parastronaut”, two women and four men: this is the new promotion of astronauts -in which the French Sophie Adenot appears- presented this Wednesday by the European Space Agency (ESA) to succeed the Class from 2009, which featured Thomas Pesquet.
Therefore, ESA has given the possibility to a disabled person to become an astronaut and fly in orbit. A first in the history of the conquest of space.
John McFall, this 41-year-old Briton, is the “parastronaut” chosen by ESA. He is 41 years old and has walked with a prosthesis since he was in a motorcycle accident at the age of 19 in which he lost his leg.
She represented her country at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and won a bronze medal in the sprint. He is also a specialist in traumatology and orthopedics. ESA will use their experience and training to study what contribution people with disabilities can make to the space adventure.
a pilot project
Because John MacFall is now part of a unique project, called “parastronaut”. Until now, people with physical disabilities have been excluded from the selections to become astronauts, which are known to be among the most difficult.
“The parastronaut project requires a complete change of philosophy” on the notion of medical fitness, a concept of military origin intended to select fighter pilots, explained Guillaume Weerts, ESA’s astronaut medical director.
At the launch of its recruitment campaign, in February 2021, the agency announced that it would open the doors of the space to one or more candidates with a disability in the lower limbs (due to amputation or congenital malformation).
People less than 1.30 meters tall or with asymmetrical legs were also eligible. The intellectual and psychological skills required are the same as for other astronauts.
The process “demonstrated that disability was not a limitation, we really believe in it,” Guillaume Weerts testified.
“When it was announced that ESA was looking for a candidate with a physical disability, I thought it was a great opportunity,” said John McFall during the presentation ceremony for the new class of astronauts.
In space 10 years from now?
At the same time, ESA has launched a “feasibility study” on sending a “parastronaut” on board a manned flight, for a stay on the International Space Station (ISS), for example.
Potentially, a disabled astronaut could be sent into space “potentially within the next ten years,” but space is not an activity for people in a hurry,” commented Guillaume Weerts.
Source: BFM TV
