In a first, the European Space Agency has announced that the first astronaut, or astronauts, with a physical disability, could be announced as soon as Wednesday.
The ESA further said that the potential candidates could include people who have deficiencies in their lower limbs, whether from amputation or congenital defects.
In a first, the European Space Agency has announced that the first astronaut, or astronauts, with a physical disability, could be announced as soon as Wednesday.
People with physical disabilities have previously been excluded from one of the most exclusive and demanding jobs on Earth 바카라” and beyond 바카라” due to strict selection requirements.
Guillaume Weerts, the ESA바카라™s head of space medicine, told AFP that the agency바카라™s 바카라śparastronaut project바카라ť required 바카라śa complete change in philosophy바카라ť about the concept of medical aptitude, which originally came from the military and the selection of fighter pilots.
The ESA further said that the potential candidates could include people who have deficiencies in their lower limbs, whether from amputation or congenital defects.
People with a height of up to 1.3 metres (4.3 feet) tall or those with different leg lengths were also eligible to apply.
The educational and psychological requirements for the candidates remained the same as for any other astronaut.
However, applications closed in June 2021.
The ESA is expected to name between four to six new European astronauts 바카라” without disabilities 바카라” during its ministerial council in Paris on Wednesday.
While Weerts said the parastronaut project runs somewhat separately, 바카라śthere is a real possibility that as part of the announcement one or more people with disabilities바카라ť will also be presented.
(with agency inputs)