The ESA Parastronaut Feasibility Project: Investigating the Need and Contents of Physical Performance Tests for an Inclusive European Astronaut Corps.
Isabella WiedmannGuillaume WeertsKlara BrixiusAnna SeemüllerJustin Maximilian MittelstädtNolan HerssensTobias WeberPublished in: Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) (2023)
Based on this study, it is clear that PPTs should be part of future astronaut selection campaigns. However, the content of these PPTs must be carefully evaluated and validated using existing data on crew activities before, during, and after space flight, while considering equal opportunities in the context of human space flight. Historical considerations have influenced current astronaut requirements, but this study's findings indicate a need to reassess these requirements for future inclusive selection campaigns, as their validity and necessity remain uncertain.