The new era of space exploration: ESA is seeking parastronauts

The new era of space exploration: ESA is seeking parastronauts

 

Image: ISS flies over planet Earth in space

 

For the first time in history, the European Space Agency (ESA) invites people with disabilities to participate in the competitive selection of future astronauts.

 

“In a first for ESA and human spaceflight worldwide, ESA is looking for individual(s) who are psychologically, cognitively, technically and professionally qualified to be an astronaut, but have a physical disability that would normally prevent them from being selected due to the requirements imposed by the use of current space hardware” – ESA announced


The European Space Agency conducted the previous selection of astronauts more than ten years ago, during the entire existence of the organization there were three such selections, including the first competition held in 1978. This time, ESA is preparing to open the way into space for people whose capabilities on Earth are considered to be limited and is launching parastronaut feasibility project.

 

“In the decade since the last selection of ESA Astronauts in 2008-09, the expectations of society towards diversity and inclusivity have changed. The high cost of the human spaceflight programme (which is funded by European taxpayers) means that ESA cannot and does not want to ignore these changes. Fair representation of all parts of society is a high focus of action for governments, institutions and business alike. This is visible in the space sector and strongly expressed by national delegations to ESA. ESA needs and wants to embrace change in order to remain relevant and accessible, especially to younger generations” – ESA explained. – “ESA is ready to invest in defining the necessary adaptations of space hardware in an effort to enable these otherwise excellently qualified professionals to serve as crew members on a safe and useful space mission”.

 

Image:Still from the movie "Avatar": Jake Sully in a wheelchair in a transparent oxygen mask on his face sits on the launch pad. A spaceship rises above Him
From science fiction to reality.
In the 2009 James Cameron movie "Avatar", a man in a wheelchair went to another planet.
In 2021, the European Space Agency is recruiting para-astronauts (Source)


After completing the training, candidates with disabilities will be able to participate in long-term or challenging space missions and will perform tasks as permanent employees of the agency. Together with foreign and commercial partners, the agency is already working to create a more accessible environment and is exploring the possibility of involving astronauts with disabilities in space programs and missions to the International Space Station.

 

“Because we believe that exploration is the matter of a collective effort, we need to extend the pool of talents we can rely on in order to continue progressing in our endeavour. One effective way of doing this is to include more gifted people of different genders, ages and backgrounds, but also people with special needs, people living with physical disabilities” – the agency stressed. 


The agency emphasized that there are two important aspects of the program: an inclusive mission must be as safe and as useful as the work of other professional astronauts.

Astronaut candidates must be citizens of an ESA member country or an associated state, hold a master's degree in natural sciences, medicine, engineering, mathematics or computer science, or be qualified as a test pilot and / or test engineer. Applicants must have at least three years of post-graduate professional experience and be fluent in English. Knowledge of another foreign language will be an advantage.

In defining the selection criteria for the first inclusive program, ESA turned to the experience of the International Paralympic Committee and used its classification of various types of disabilities. Then the tasks of future astronauts and safety requirements were compared with potential capabilities. The result was three categories of candidate assessment:

 

  • Red: when the kind and degree of disability was not or not safely compatible with the task.
  • Green: when the kind and degree of disability can be compatible with the task.
  • Yellow: when the kind and degree of disability could become fully compatible with the task with some adjustments, modifications or innovations.

 

Image: ESA poster depicting potential astranauts
ESA's inclusive project includes not only training astronauts with disabilities,
but also creating conditions for their work in space (Source)

 


The first selection can include:

  • Persons who have a lower limb deficiency (e.g. due to amputation or congenital limb deficiency) as follows: single or double foot deficiency through ankle (lisfranc amputation); single or double leg deficiency below the knee
  • Persons who have a leg length difference (missing or shortened limbs at birth or as a result of trauma)
  • Persons of short stature (<130 cm)


Applications will be accepted from March 31 to May 28, 2021 on the ESA website, the results will be announced in October 2022.