First, we looked at how my disability and my prosthesis would affect my ability to fulfil the requirements in flight, and at a later stage we looked into it in more detail, for example whether I should necessarily use a prosthesis since in space I barely use my legs.
In summary, although prosthetics will be required at some stage, a person with a disability like mine is fully capable of meeting the needs of space travel. I am very pleased that no issues have been found that would prevent a person with a disability like mine from carrying out a long duration space mission. This is an incredibly positive outcome.
Why is it important that people with disabilities can also operate in space, and what disabilities are we talking about specifically?
Let’s start with the second question. Fly! investigated a specific group: lower limb disabilities. From the results, we think we can infer different variables within that group that are suitable for long-term space missions. We need to start from the basics and progress step by step. We are sure that starting to study lower limb disabilities was a good choice. We hope that soon we will be able to focus on other disabilities and be able to answer the first part of the question: “Why is it important?”
ESA recognises that talented people come from all walks of life and backgrounds – gender, ethnicity, physical abilities. There are people all over the world who can make a valuable contribution to human space exploration – and this includes, of course, becoming an astronaut.
And the experience and knowledge of disabled people can bring new and valuable ideas, different ways of thinking, motivation and inspiration. For this to happen, all people with appropriate professional status and roles need to be fairly represented among staff. This is the aim, and ESA is working to achieve it.
In September, the Polaris Dawn mission will launch from Cape Canaveral and feature the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. What do you think?
These missions are exciting and important in terms of human space exploration because every time they happen, we enrich our knowledge as a community. Polaris Dawn is conducting new scientific research and testing new technologies. That’s why I have so much respect for private astronauts and their missions. They’re making a huge contribution to the development of our space activities.
When are you going to space?
I would love to travel beyond the atmosphere, and I hope I get the chance, but my biggest hope is that sooner or later people with disabilities will be able to fully integrate and make it happen on the International Space Station.
As for the timing, I would like to see it happen by the end of this century. For me, if there is an opportunity for a space flight, it will not be before 2027. But nothing is set in stone yet, so for now I’m praying.
