European Space Agency’s new class of astronauts revealed
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European Space Agency’s new astronauts REVEALED: Class of 17 includes 8 women and a British ‘parastronaut’ who lost his leg in a motorbike accident
- The European Space Agency has revealed its new class of astronauts
- They are the first cohort in almost 15 years and include the first ‘parastronaut’
- People with physical disabilities have previously been excluded from spaceflight
- The astronauts chosen were whittled down from a whopping 22,523 applicants
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Three Britons – including the first ever ‘parastronaut’ – are among the European Space Agency’s first new cohort of astronauts in almost 15 years.
John McFall, Rosemary Coogan and Meganne Christian have been named in a class of 17 men and women chosen from a whopping 22,523 applicants.
They join current British astronaut Tim Peake, who spent six months on the International Space Station in 2016.
Mr McFall had to have his right leg amputated following a motorbike accident at the age of 19.
He learned to run again and became a professional track and field athlete in 2005, before going on to win a bronze medal for Team GB in the 100m at the Beijing Paralympic Games 2008.
Heading for space: Three Britons – including the first ever ‘parastronaut’ – are among the European Space Agency’s first new cohort of astronauts in almost 15 years. John McFall (left) and Rosemary Coogan (right) have been named in a class of 17 men and women
Ready to lift-off: The European Space Agency has revealed its new class of astronauts
Mr McFall has a background in sports and exercise science and completed his bachelor’s degree from Swansea University.
He became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 2016 and is currently a Trauma and Orthopaedic Specialist Registrar working in the south of England.
People with physical disabilities have previously been excluded from one of the most exclusive and demanding jobs on Earth – and beyond – due to strict selection requirements.
Ms Coogan holds two master’s degrees from the University of Durham and a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Sussex.
From a young age, she spent several weeks a year away from home onboard military training vessels and land bases as a Cadet Petty Officer with the Sea Cadets from 2002 to 2009.
In her leisure time, she enjoys rowing, scuba diving, hiking, cycling, kayaking and yoga.
Her other interests include playing the piano, cooking, board games and spending time with her family and friends.
The ESA Astronaut Class of 2022 was announced at 15:40 CET (14:40 GMT) during the agency’s ministerial council in Paris.
Ms Coogan is among five career astronauts chosen to go straight into active training.
The others include Sophie Adenot, from France, Pablo Álvarez Fernández, from Spain, Raphaël Liégeois, from Belgium, Marco Sieber, from Switzerland.
Ms Christian is one of 11 astronaut reservists, who will continue their normal jobs and not enter astronaut training straight away, although they could be called upon at a later date.
They also include Nicola Winter, from Germany, Marcus Wandt, from Sweden, Anthea Comellini, from Italy, Sara García Alonso, from Spain, and Andrea Patassa, from Italy.
Carmen Possnig, from Austria, Arnaud Prost, from France, Amelie Schoenenwald, from Germany, Aleš Svoboda, from the Czech Republic, and Sławosz Uznański, from Poland, round out the class.