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KungFuHamster t1_ixirx06 wrote

This has been a concept thrown around by sci fi writers for a long time; people with one or two legs missing or diminished in mass due to disability or intention are in some ways more adapted to working in zero gravity. Legs aren't really needed on a spacecraft, but take up space, maintenance calories, and grams of accelerant needed for lift out of the gravity well.

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Jaded_Prompt_15 t1_ixit478 wrote

It's based off an old school fighter pilot with no legs.

Because his blood couldn't pool in his feet, he could sustain more G's.

So when Sci Fi, they extrapolated that. Sometimes giving them robot legs to keep the benefit but still walk

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MikeyMIRV t1_ixjmwat wrote

So, I get where you're going here with the Gs and all, but how does the fighter pilot work the rudder pedals with no legs?

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_Mechaloth_ t1_ixle3bi wrote

It allows them to more effectively do a barrel roll.

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Cynical_Cabinet t1_ixj5pq4 wrote

Another interesting idea was to use deaf astronauts. Certain types of deafness make a person immune to motion sickness, which could be ideal when using centrifugal gravity.

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Ambiwlans t1_ixknx10 wrote

Becoming an astronaut will cost an arm and a leg.

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TakenIsUsernameThis t1_iximurp wrote

Shit, for a moment I read it as 'pastronaut' and thought it was about Italian cooking in space.

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_Mechaloth_ t1_ixle0p2 wrote

If Flying Spaghetti Monster-ism adherents don’t already call themselves Pastronauts, it’s a strong contender.

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TakenIsUsernameThis t1_ixli981 wrote

It's a pastafarian breakaway group who believe in some ancient pastronaut theories about the earthly incarnation of the spaghetti monster.

They are not saying it was aliens ... but ...

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pinkfootthegoose t1_ixlsqkg wrote

if anybody we should send Swedish Chef. How heavy could a muppet be?

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Bestihlmyhart t1_ixj6hiu wrote

I just find it sad his parents didn’t name him first….

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bf2per t1_ixkvboy wrote

son of a... Take my angry upvote

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yourSAS OP t1_ixikr5t wrote

The 22-nation agency said it had selected former British Paralympic sprinter John McFall as part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for astronaut training.

He will take part in a feasibility study designed to allow ESA to assess the conditions needed for people with disabilities to take part in future missions.

>"Better representation of disabled people in influential roles will really help improve attitudes and break down the barriers that many disabled people face today,"

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patrykpudlo t1_ixjhbq1 wrote

Don’t want to be picky but would it be better to not make a show out of it, like look he’s a parastronaut! We are so progressive!… I think he is just an astronaut, what is the point of labelling people as para-something. I just don’t think they necessarily like that, I may be wrong but anyway

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SUPRVLLAN t1_ixjj48g wrote

I agree, he should just be given the title of astronaut, unless he’s onboard with the idea of something else with the goal of inspiring others, which these things are usually about and can make a meaningful impact on people in similar circumstances.

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Ambiwlans t1_ixkocf1 wrote

Another part I don't like is the idea that he's being selected as a gift. An ESA sacrifice.

If that's true, they selected a subpar astronaut and put the other crew at risk in a deadly situation for a PR boost. Not to mention it is disgustingly patronizing.

If it isn't true, then they are diminishing everything this guy ever achieves by making it seem like he got it because he's disabled. And all for a PR boost.

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Anderopolis t1_ixle4ak wrote

Both is true, ESA wants to investigate how different disabilities affect people in space, and so they set out to find people with physical disabilities that were best suited for Astronaut work.

We gotta learn from somewhere, and as Spacetravel becomes safer, we can send people with less narrow requirements than traditional Astronauts.

It used to be that Astronauts couldn't wear glasses, but now they can.

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HardwareSoup t1_ixn2ue9 wrote

I agree it's really important.

But all the talk about "representation" generates the impression that he didn't get there based on merit, especially to those around him.

The news can say "First X to Z!", but the statement from the selecting agency should always be "They were the best one for the job".

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Anderopolis t1_ixo0hsj wrote

But that is the ESA announcement, he was the best qualified applicant for the para-astronaut position.

Representation is more media fluff, him being disabled was a criteria for the job.

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Scared-Conflict-653 t1_ixiopu2 wrote

Just trying so hard to be a good person. This guy will do things I will never be able to accomplished but come on the title.

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sickn0te_ t1_ixlqntp wrote

So you're telling me I'm more likely to be able to go into space as a person living with disability than I am to be put on the disability pension in Australia? Awesome news!

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So_spoke_the_wizard t1_ixjxdig wrote

While not quite at the same level as an amputation. Hayley Arceneaux has a prosthetic leg bone due to bone cancer and has a level of disability. She was part of the first private SpaceX crewed flight, Inspiration 4.

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FuturologyBot t1_ixiqer6 wrote

The following submission statement was provided by /u/yourSAS:

The 22-nation agency said it had selected former British Paralympic sprinter John McFall as part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for astronaut training.

He will take part in a feasibility study designed to allow ESA to assess the conditions needed for people with disabilities to take part in future missions.

>"Better representation of disabled people in influential roles will really help improve attitudes and break down the barriers that many disabled people face today,"

Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/z2wor8/europe_names_worlds_first_disabled_astronaut/ixikr5t/

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thehak2020 t1_ixl4gfi wrote

I thought european space farers were called spationauts.

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P4nM4ciej t1_ixlit5a wrote

So it will not be : "Its one small step for man",
Any idea what someone on a wheelchair can say?

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Wifdat t1_ixlm7rc wrote

Doesn’t matter if your legs atrophy if you can’t use em anyway! (Or it might, idk, not doctor)

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tom-8-to t1_ixkm2un wrote

Russia has been sending para-soldiers to fight in Ukraine so they should get recognition for their efforts too.

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