Paris, Nov. 23 (BNA): The European Space Agency on Wednesday selected the first Parastronnaut in a major step toward allowing people with physical disabilities to work and live in space.
The 22-nation agency said it had selected former British Paralympic runner John McFall as part of a new generation of 17 recruits selected to train astronauts.
It will participate in a feasibility study designed to allow the European Space Agency to assess the conditions necessary for people with disabilities to participate in future missions, Reuters reports.
He will join five new career astronauts and 11 reservists in training after the European Space Agency replenished its astronaut ranks for the first time since 2009.
The European Space Agency published openings last year for people who are fully able to pass its usual rigorous psychological, cognitive and other tests, and who are only barred from becoming astronauts because of existing hardware limitations given their disability.
It received 257 applications for the role of disabled astronaut, a parallel role dubbed “parastronaut”.
Disability equality charity Scoop called his selection “a huge leap forward”.
“Better representation of people with disabilities in influential roles will really help improve attitudes and break down the barriers that so many disabled people face today,” said Alison Kerry, the charity’s Head of Communications.
After a motorcycle accident resulted in the amputation of his right leg at the age of 19, McFaul went on to win the 100-meter bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
The agency said the 31-year-old doctor will help ESA engineers design hardware changes needed to open up professional spaceflight to a wider group of qualified candidates.
“I think the message I’m going to give to future generations is that science is for everyone and I hope space travel is for everyone,” McFall said.
insignificant