Parastronauts: the first astronauts with disabilities

People with physical disabilities are candidates to be astronauts in the European Space Agency selection process.

The European Space Agency (ESA) opened the new astronauts' recruitment process in the first months of 2021; the call seeks the inclusion of social groups with little or no participation in the space industry, approaching maximum gender parity and including people with physical disabilities.

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In June, at the close of the call, 287 people with physical disabilities were registered, and only 29 approved the initial screening and the first medical test, passing the following selection rounds. Now, the 21 men and eight women will undergo different exams with the 1362 other candidates who passed the first screening of the general call.

​"The parastronauts campaign is unique in the world, but it is also a symbol that we would like to show that the space is not just for an elite of specialized people," said Josef Aschbacher, director of ESA.


"We would like people with disabilities to also be able to fly into space. We may have to make some adjustments in spaceships, but we are determined to open up space to everyone," he added.

Which physical disabilities were covered?
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For this first program, the list of disabilities was short. It was considered for people with impaired legs or none, either by amputation or congenital problems in the extremities. At the same time, the call included people below 130 centimeters high. These candidates with disabilities will also have to approve the psychological, cognitive, technical, and professional qualification requirements like the rest of the candidates.

Will there be adjustments in spaceships?
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According to the director of the ESA, the project has a budget of one million euros for adjustments in the spacecraft; these adaptations seek to give the parastronauts an equal footing with their peers. Achieving the participation of the entire crew of the mission. The aim is for them to participate "not as mere tourists, but as full-fledged crew members of a space mission," Josef added.