3 ms·

This feels a bit played up. They are allowing short people to apply to be astronauts; I wouldn't consider that championing inclusion and diversity.

jhgb 6y ago
Gagarin did it before it was cool.
barbazoo 6y ago
I'd say we don't let the good be the enemy of the perfect. This is what the article said and at least include more people with disabilities than it did before, isn't that good? - They have a lower limb deficiency (for example, due to amputation or congenital limb deficiency). - They have a leg length difference. - They are of short stature (<130 cm).
anthony_romeo 6y ago
You ignored the first bullet of the three, which was: "They have a lower limb deficiency (for example, due to amputation or congenital limb deficiency)"
- jhgb 6y ago
  Technically, those are short people, too.
- kingsuper20 6y ago
  You could argue that an optimum space-human has amputated legs.
  - sterlind 6y ago
    I read a scifi story as a kid where the protagonist was paralyzed. in space, her disability actually gave her an advantage because she adapted much more easily to moving through the station.
  - _Microft 6y ago
    Astronauts hook their feet under handles to stay in place while doing things on the I.S.S. They do this so extensively that they develop callus on top of their feet and loose it on their heels. Once back on Earth walking without hardened skin on the heels is said to be painful until they have re-developed it. Here is an account of astronaut Scott Kelly: https://www.businessinsider.com/scott-kelly-weirdest-thing-year-in-space-2016-2 https://www.businessinsider.com/scott-kelly-weirdest-thing-y...
    - kingsuper20 6y ago
      That's interesting but doesn't sound like much of a prosthetic to add to the proposed legless astronaut corps(tm). Somebody must have studied this. Effect of G-forces on amputees, perhaps there's less in the way of nutrition and oxygen needs. For that matter, I wonder what tests have been done to find natural differences in resource depletion depending on the individual, that sounds like an obvious selection point for a Mars mission or any other long-term isolation.
      - dahfizz 6y ago
        Prosthetics might work for someone missing the lower portion of their leg(s), but I don't think it would work for someone with a congenital limb deficiency. If they have no control of their legs, bolting on some extra hardware wouldn't do much.
gostsamo 6y ago
I'm blind and though a big cosmos fan, I know that I'm not fit for the job and would not expect to be included. However, this might not be true for people with other disabilities and if they are fit for the job, it is pretty logical the requirements to be adjusted in order to allow them to participate.
standardUser 6y ago
In terms of novel space exploration, it would only make sense to compose a crew of smaller individuals who require less space, consume less food, produce less waste etc. There's a strong case to be made that a first time Mars mission, or similarly challenging feat, would be best undertaken by an all-female crew.

jhgb 6y ago

Gagarin did it before it was cool.

barbazoo 6y ago

I'd say we don't let the good be the enemy of the perfect. This is what the article said and at least include more people with disabilities than it did before, isn't that good? - They have a lower limb deficiency (for example, due to amputation or congenital limb deficiency). - They have a leg length difference. - They are of short stature (<130 cm).

anthony_romeo 6y ago

You ignored the first bullet of the three, which was: "They have a lower limb deficiency (for example, due to amputation or congenital limb deficiency)"

jhgb 6y ago
Technically, those are short people, too.
kingsuper20 6y ago
You could argue that an optimum space-human has amputated legs.
- sterlind 6y ago
  I read a scifi story as a kid where the protagonist was paralyzed. in space, her disability actually gave her an advantage because she adapted much more easily to moving through the station.
- _Microft 6y ago
  Astronauts hook their feet under handles to stay in place while doing things on the I.S.S. They do this so extensively that they develop callus on top of their feet and loose it on their heels. Once back on Earth walking without hardened skin on the heels is said to be painful until they have re-developed it. Here is an account of astronaut Scott Kelly: https://www.businessinsider.com/scott-kelly-weirdest-thing-year-in-space-2016-2 https://www.businessinsider.com/scott-kelly-weirdest-thing-y...
  - kingsuper20 6y ago
    That's interesting but doesn't sound like much of a prosthetic to add to the proposed legless astronaut corps(tm). Somebody must have studied this. Effect of G-forces on amputees, perhaps there's less in the way of nutrition and oxygen needs. For that matter, I wonder what tests have been done to find natural differences in resource depletion depending on the individual, that sounds like an obvious selection point for a Mars mission or any other long-term isolation.
    - dahfizz 6y ago
      Prosthetics might work for someone missing the lower portion of their leg(s), but I don't think it would work for someone with a congenital limb deficiency. If they have no control of their legs, bolting on some extra hardware wouldn't do much.

gostsamo 6y ago

I'm blind and though a big cosmos fan, I know that I'm not fit for the job and would not expect to be included. However, this might not be true for people with other disabilities and if they are fit for the job, it is pretty logical the requirements to be adjusted in order to allow them to participate.

standardUser 6y ago

In terms of novel space exploration, it would only make sense to compose a crew of smaller individuals who require less space, consume less food, produce less waste etc. There's a strong case to be made that a first time Mars mission, or similarly challenging feat, would be best undertaken by an all-female crew.