(ESA / P. Sebirot https://bit.ly/3gvflda)
The European Space Agency - ESA has unveiled a new batch of 17 astronaut candidates.
Among them is the first paraastronaut, a 41-year-old man with an amputated leg.
At the beginning of the space age, the requirements for people going into space were extremely high.
Candidates had to have an ideal health and certain parameters for the size and weight of a person, as well as experience as a pilot.
As spacesuits and spacecraft improved, the requirements began to soften, and people of various specialties began to fly into space.
However, high requirements were still imposed in terms of physical and mental condition.
In February last year, the ESA announced the start of the first new recruitment for astronauts in 13 years.
The agency also said they would allow people with disabilities to participate in the competition.
On November 23, 2022, the agency summed up the results, having considered 22.5 thousand applications.
Seventeen (17) new astronaut candidates were selected, of which 11 will be in the reserve and five will become active astronauts.
THE NEW CANDIDATES
Among the new candidates was the world's first paraastronaut, a 41-year-old Englishman named John McFall.
McFall had previously had his right leg amputated and had already managed to participate in the Paralympic Games.
He will take part in the 2-3 year Parastronaut Feasibility Project, which will determine what difficulties a paraastronaut may experience during a manned space flight.
The program and how spacesuits or spacecraft can be modified for him.
It is assumed that the preparation of a paraastronaut for a full-fledged flight into space will take at least 5 years.
Sources:
- ESA: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/ESA_presents_new_generation_of_astronauts
- BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63730022
- New Scientist: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2348463-esas-new-astronauts-include-former-paralympian-runner-john-mcfall/
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