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Reuters

The European Space Agency on Wednesday named the first ever “parastronaut” in a major step towards allowing people with physical disabilities to work and live in space.
The 22-nation agency said it had selected former British Paralympic sprinter John McFall as part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for astronaut training.
He will take part in a feasibility study designed to allow ESA to assess the conditions needed for people with disabilities to take part in future missions.
“It’s been quite a whirlwind experience, given that as an amputee, I’d never thought that being an astronaut was a possibility, so excitement was a huge emotion,” McFall said in an interview posted on ESA’s website.
Chinese astronaut recruitment drive attracts 120 hopefuls in Hong Kong
He will join five new career astronauts and 11 reserves in training after ESA replenished its astronaut ranks for the first time since 2009.
ESA posted openings last year for people fully capable of passing its usual stringent psychological, cognitive and other tests who are only prevented from becoming astronauts due to the constraints of existing hardware in light of their disability.
It received 257 applications for the role of astronaut with a disability, a parallel role that it terms “parastronaut”.
Disability equality charity Scope described his selection as “a major leap forward”.

“Better representation of disabled people in influential roles will really help improve attitudes and break down the barriers that many disabled people face today,” the charity’s Head of Communications, Alison Kerry, said.
Following a motorcycle accident that led to his right leg being amputated at the age of 19, McFall went on to win the 100-metres Bronze Medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008.
The 31-year-old doctor will help ESA engineers design changes in hardware needed to open professional space flight to a wider group of qualified candidates, the agency said.
“I think the message that I would give to future generations is that science is for everyone and space travel hopefully can be for everyone,” McFall said.


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Space

Europe names world’s first disabled astronaut

ESA’s new parastronaut John McFall, a British former Paralympic sprinter, poses at the Grand Palais Ephemere in Paris on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Members of ESA’s new class of astronauts Meganne Christian, John McFall and Rosemary Coogan pose with astronaut Major Tim Peake (left) at the Grand Palais Ephemere in Paris, France on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Nasa capsule buzzes moon, last big step before lunar orbit

NASA’s Orion capsule, left, nearing the moon. At center is earth. Photo: Handout: NASA via AP

This handout from Nasa TV shows Nasa’s Orion spacecraft approaching the moon on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. (Nasa via AP)

‘This is true happiness’: Italian astronaut quotes ancient Chinese poem, becomes social media darling for excellent Mandarin

Samantha Cristoforetti posted an excerpt from Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion when the International Space Station she was aboard was orbiting over China. Photo: SCMP composite

UAE’s first Arab woman astronaut-in-training chases childhood dream

Nora al-Matrooshi, 28, member of the UAE’s astronaut programme. Photo: Reuters

epa09328496 Emirati astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi (L) and Mohammad Al Mulla (R) attend a press conference during their first appearance in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2021. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai chose earlier this year the first Arab female astronaut Emirati Nora Al Matrooshi in addition to countryman Mohammed Al Mulla from over 4,000 candidates for next space mission, the second batch of Emirati astronauts and to get a training with NASA for future space exploration missions. EPA-EFE/ALI HAIDER

News

World

Europe


Former UK Paralympic sprinter John McFall is part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for training to work and live in space
He will take part in a European Space Agency study to assess the conditions needed for people with disabilities to take part in future missions



Former UK Paralympic sprinter John McFall is part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for training to work and live in space.


Britain

Europe names world’s first disabled astronaut

Former UK Paralympic sprinter John McFall is part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for training to work and live in space He will take part in a European Space Agency study to assess the conditions needed for people with disabilities to take part in future missions

Former UK Paralympic sprinter John McFall is part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for training to work and live in space

He will take part in a European Space Agency study to assess the conditions needed for people with disabilities to take part in future missions