Disability in space: Aim high
Christiane Heinicke, Marcin Kaczmarzyk, Benjamin Tannert, Aleksander Waśniowski, Małgorzata Perycz, Johannes Schöning
Abstract
In February, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced the Parastronaut Feasibility Project (1), a plan to make every reasonable effort to send astronauts with disability to space. This idea is a step in the right direction, but ESA is framing the decision as a way to be more inclusive rather than a way to make all astronauts safer and more effective. This short-sighted perspective may explain why the fine print of the announcement limits "acceptable" disabilities to lower-limb deficiencies. By not including a range of disabilities, ESA is discounting the potential of people with disabilities, ignoring the fact that disabilities are in great part barriers imposed by society (2), and missing an opportunity to better prepare all astronauts to adapt to in-flight trauma. To live up to its own standards, provide inspiration to the next generation [including the 15% (2) who have a disability], and improve mission safety, the ESA should broaden its criteria for eligible disabilities.