European Parastronaut Program Includes Disabled People

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 18:07:00 -0500
access, accommodation, agency, disability, diversity, european, inclusion, nasa, scientist, space, work

As part of its latest astronaut selection, the European Space Agency is seeking to recruit one or more 'Parastronauts' to examine and demonstrate the feasibility of selecting astronauts who would otherwise be fully qualified for spaceflight but would be excluded from prior selection criteria by disability.

Read more with the BBC's European Space Agency Astronaut Recruitment Drive for Greater Diversity

Thinking about applying? Details are here:

European Space Agency Parastronaut Feasibility Project (link).

ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforett notes "we did not evolve to go to space so when it comes to space travel, we are all disabled. What brings us from disabled to go to space to being able to go to space is just technology." ESA astronaut Tim Peake is also ready for a more inclusive team.

Scientific American makes a strong case for disabled astronauts.

From the BBC article, addressing many myths and misperceptions: "To be absolutely clear, we're not looking to hire a space tourist that happens to also have a disability," said Dr. David Parker, the director of ESA's robotics and human spaceflight programme. "To be very explicit, this individual would do a meaningful space mission. So, they would need to do the science; they would need to participate in all the normal operations of the International Space Station.." Eddie Ndopu agrees and would like to be the first wheelchair user in space

Closer to home - here's a link for NASA's program.

ALSO: Deaf History Month begins tomorrow, read how NASA's human space flight program was substantially supported by 11 deaf men.

More firsts with NASA and Women's History: Mae Jemison and Sally Ride

Student Disability Services - which serves all students with disabilities, including graduate students -is located next to Astronaut and Physicist Ronald McNair Scholars Program. when we return to campus.