We first looked at how my disabilities and prosthesis might affect my ability to meet the requirements in flight. Later, we looked in detail, including whether I should be required to use my prosthesis in space, since legs are hardly used there.
In summary, I can say that although I would need the prosthesis at some stages, disabilities like mine fully meet the needs of space travel. I am very happy to say that we have not identified any problems that would prevent a person with disabilities like mine from participating in a long-duration space mission. This has an incredibly positive outcome.
Why is it important for people with disabilities to be able to operate in space as well? And what specific disabilities are we talking about?
I’ll start with the second question. Fly! has focused on a specific group of disabilities, those of the lower limbs. From the results, I think we can extrapolate different variables from that group that are compatible with long-duration space missions. We have to go step by step, starting with the basics, and I’m sure that starting to study disabilities of the lower limbs has been a good choice. I hope that we can soon focus on other disabilities, which will allow me to answer the first part of the question: Why is it important?
ESA recognises that talented people can come from different backgrounds and backgrounds, including gender, sex, ethnicity and physical abilities. There are people everywhere in the world who could make valuable contributions to human space exploration. Of course, this means becoming an astronaut.
The experience and expertise of people with physical disabilities can bring valuable new ideas, different ways of thinking, motivation and inspiration. For this to happen, everyone needs to be fairly represented in the workforce, with appropriate job titles and roles. This is a goal and ESA is working to achieve it.
The Polaris Dawn mission is expected to take off from Cape Canaveral in September and will mark the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. What do you think?
They are inspiring and no less important in the landscape of human exploration of the cosmos, because every time these missions become a reality, they help enrich the knowledge we have as a community. Polaris Dawn is doing new science; it is testing new technologies. That is why I have great respect for private astronauts and their missions: they are Make a significant contribution to the advancement of our space activities.
When are you going to space?
I would love to travel beyond the atmosphere. I hope I have the opportunity, but what I hope most is that sooner or later someone with a physical disability will be able to do so, fully integrated into the activities of the International Space Station.
As for the timing, I hope it will be by the end of this decade. As for me, if I ever get the chance to fly into space, it will not be before 2027. But nothing has been confirmed and, for the moment, I am keeping my fingers crossed.