The European Space Agency dubbed the first “parastronaut” on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward permitting individuals with physical limitations to work and live in space.
Former British Paralympic sprinter John McFall has been chosen as part of a new generation of 17 candidates for astronaut training by the 22-nation organization.
He will participate in a feasibility study allowing the ESA to analyze the conditions required for persons with impairments to participate in future flights.
“It’s been a crazy experience, considering that as an amputee, I never believed being an astronaut was a possibility, so exhilaration was a tremendous feeling,” McFall said in an interview released on the ESA website.
He will be training with five new career astronauts and 11 reserves after the ESA restocked its astronaut ranks for the first time since 2009.
Last year, the ESA advertised opportunities for persons who can pass its customary demanding psychological, cognitive, and other assessments but are precluded from becoming astronauts owing to the limitations of existing hardware in light of their impairment.
It got 257 applications for the position of an astronaut with a handicap, which it refers to as a “parastronaut.”
Disability equality non-profit Scope called his nomination 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.