esa mission – pressnews

[ad_1] The European Space Agency made history Wednesday by selecting an amputee who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident to be among its newest batch of astronauts — a leap toward its pioneering ambition to send someone with a physical disability into space.John McFall, a 41-year-old Briton who lost his right leg when he was 19 and went on to compete in the Paralympics, called his selection at Europe's answer to NASA “a real turning point and mark in history.” “ESA has a commitment to send an astronaut with a physical disability into space ... This is the first time that a space agency has endeavored to embark on a project like this. And it sends a really, really strong message to humanity,” he said. The newly-minted parastronaut joins five career astronauts in the final selection unv...

[ad_1] The European Space Agency is unveiling its newest astronaut recruits Wednesday, concluding its first recruitment drive in over a decade that aims to bring diversity to space travel. The European Space Agency is unveiling its newest astronaut recruits Wednesday, concluding its first recruitment drive in over a decade that aims to bring diversity to space travel.Over 22,000 applicants came forward in the hiring push announced February of last year by Europe's answer to NASA — including more women than ever and some 200 people with disabilities. A final selection of just four to six people is being announced as Europe's next astronauts at a Paris press conference, as well as also a reserve team of about 20. Finalist candidates have undergone intensive screening over the past year....

Tag: esa mission

Space diversity: Europe’s space agency gets 1st parastronaut

Diversity in space: Europe space agency to unveil recruits