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My first gut reaction to this initiative is a bit negative. There are handful astronauts in the world for a reason. It is probably the most challenging environm

My first gut reaction to this initiative is a bit negative. There are handful astronauts in the world for a reason. It is probably the most challenging environment where you need to be at your peak both mentally and physically. I am all for inclusion but as article states only 550 people or so went into space. That's an insanely low number. For comparison world wide on average there are 3000 deaths due to car crashes A DAY. Everyday 6x time people die that went into space ever. I hope this program will not push out people that are a safer option for an astronaut in favour of a PR stunt. And that we are not wasting money on enabling someone's apex dream. I will never play in NBA no matter how hard I will study and train I am too short. Its life. And I am not campaining to have a a single player per team below 5ft because life is unfair.

anthony_romeo 5y ago
Lol, as if you or I can meaningfully tell the difference between a "PR Stunt" and a valid hire. If you see an astronaut with a prosthetic leg in the next five years, are you going to just automatically presume that they are unworthy of the position? I certainly wouldn't arbitrarily belittle an astronaut like that -- doing so would be shameful IMO.
- ksaj 5y ago
  If the candidate can complete the regular training and other standard screenings, I'm good.
  - me_me_me 5y ago
    100% agree, but then whats the point of this program? They are already passing all merit based required standards. Should then they have higher preference?
    - anthony_romeo 5y ago
      This is in part a study to help find out what disabled people might need in space to better inform future designs to accommodate their needs. Space travel isn’t getting less common so it’s a good idea to prepare for this. This is a good thing.
      - me_me_me 5y ago
        Commercial space travel should not be within a purview of ESA. Its a research/science agency. A usability study of space travel that is god knows how far out... well sounds like waste of money to me.

anthony_romeo 5y ago

Lol, as if you or I can meaningfully tell the difference between a "PR Stunt" and a valid hire. If you see an astronaut with a prosthetic leg in the next five years, are you going to just automatically presume that they are unworthy of the position? I certainly wouldn't arbitrarily belittle an astronaut like that -- doing so would be shameful IMO.

ksaj 5y ago
If the candidate can complete the regular training and other standard screenings, I'm good.
- me_me_me 5y ago
  100% agree, but then whats the point of this program? They are already passing all merit based required standards. Should then they have higher preference?
  - anthony_romeo 5y ago
    This is in part a study to help find out what disabled people might need in space to better inform future designs to accommodate their needs. Space travel isn’t getting less common so it’s a good idea to prepare for this. This is a good thing.
    - me_me_me 5y ago
      Commercial space travel should not be within a purview of ESA. Its a research/science agency. A usability study of space travel that is god knows how far out... well sounds like waste of money to me.