The European Space Agency (ESA) says that the “time has come” to put differently – abled people in space under the Parastonaut Feasibility Project. The International Paralympic Committee will advise the ESA on selection. Right now, recruitment is open to people with leg amputations, with marked differences in leg length or who are especially short. The ‘parastronaut’ chosen would be the first disabled astronaut in history. David Parker, ESA’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration says “Representing all parts of our society is a concern that we take very seriously… Diversity at ESA should not only address the origin, age, background or gender of our astronauts, but also perhaps, physical disabilities.”
The International Paralympic Committee will advise the ESA on selection.
The move comes in light of a recent report by the Associated Press that only 65 of more than 560 people who have been to space were women of the 65, 51 were Americans.
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