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Mission possible: Parastronaut programs can make space travel more inclusive and attainable for all

Humans will likely set foot on the moon again in the coming decade. While many stories in this new chapter of lunar exploration will be reminiscent of the Apollo missions , others may look quite different.

For instance, the European Space Agency is currently working to for people of a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. In this new era, the first footprint on the moon could possibly be made by a prosthetic limb.

Historically, and even still today, astronauts selected to fly to space have had to fit a long list of . However, many professionals in the field are beginning to acknowledge that these requirements stem from outdated assumptions.

, including studies by our multidisciplinary team of aerospace and biomechanics researchers, has begun to explore the possibilities for people with physical disabilities to venture into space, visit the .

Current research

NASA has previously funded and is currently funding research on to help everyone, regardless of their ability, move around in the crew cabin.

Additionally, to develop functional aids for individuals with disabilities in current U.S. spacecraft. A functional aid is any device that improves someone's independence, mobility or daily living tasks by compensating for their physical limitations.

The European Space Agency, or ESA, launched its in 2022 to assess ways to include individuals with disabilities in human spaceflight. A parastronaut is an astronaut with a physical disability who has been selected and trained to participate in space missions.

At the University of North Dakota, we conducted focused on parastronauts. This research examined how individuals with disabilities get into and get out of two current U.S. spacecraft designed to carry crew. The first was and the second was .

Alongside our colleagues , , and , we uncovered valuable insights into the accessibility challenges future parastronauts may face.

indicated that individuals with physical disabilities are nearly as nimble in modern U.S. spacecraft as nondisabled individuals. This work focused on testing individuals who have experienced leg amputations. Now we are looking ahead to solutions that could benefit astronauts of all abilities.

Safety and inclusion

is the ESA's first parastronaut. At the age of 19, Mcfall lost his right leg just above the knee from a . Although McFall has not been assigned to a mission yet, he is the first person with a physical disability to be .

Astronaut currently prioritize peak physical fitness, with the goal of having multiple crew members who can do the same physical tasks. Integrating into the crew has required balancing mission security and accessibility.

However, with advancements in technology, spacecraft design and assistive tools, inclusion no longer needs to come at the expense of safety. These technologies are still in their infancy, but research and efforts like the ESA's program will help improve them.

Design and development of . Simple adaptations, such as adding handholds onto the walls in a spacecraft, can provide vital assistance. However, adding handles to existing spacecraft will be costly.

Functional aids that don't alter the spacecraft itself—such as accessories carried by each astronaut—could be another way forward. For example, adding Velcro to certain spots in the spacecraft or on prosthetic limbs could improve a parastronaut's traction and help them anchor to the spacecraft's surfaces.

Engineers could design new prosthetics made for particular space environments, such as zero or partial gravity, or even tailored to specific spacecraft. This approach is kind of like designing specialized prosthetics for , running or other sports.

Accessibility can help everyone

Future space exploration, particularly that will take weeks, months and even years, may prompt new standards for astronaut fitness. During these long missions, astronauts could get , causing what can be considered incidental disability.

An astronaut with an incidental disability begins a mission without a recognized disability but acquires one from a mission mishap. An astronaut suffering a broken arm or a traumatic brain injury during a mission would have a persistent impairment.

During long-duration missions, an astronaut crew will be too far away to receive outside medical help—they'll have to deal with these issues on their own.

Considering disability during mission planning goes beyond inclusion. It makes the mission safer for all astronauts by preparing them for anything that could go wrong. Any astronaut could suffer an incidental disability during their journey.

Safety and inclusion in spaceflight don't need to be at odds. Instead, agencies can reengineer systems and training processes to ensure that more people can safely participate in space missions. By addressing safety concerns through technology, innovative design and mission planning, the space industry can have inclusive and successful missions.