Astronauts with disabilities can apply to Europe's space agency for first time • Hacker News Board

Re: Astronauts with disabilities can apply to Europe's space agency for first time

#81

Post by me_me_me » Fri, May 07, 2021, 11:25 AM UTC

ksaj wrote: post #79

anthony_romeo wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

If the candidate can complete the regular training and other standard screenings, I'm good.

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?

Re: Astronauts with disabilities can apply to Europe's space agency for first time

#82

Post by anthony_romeo » Fri, May 07, 2021, 12:16 PM UTC

me_me_me wrote: post #81

ksaj wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the candidate can complete the regular training and other standard screenings, I'm good.

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?

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.

Re: Astronauts with disabilities can apply to Europe's space agency for first time

#83

Post by me_me_me » Fri, May 07, 2021, 3:33 PM UTC

anthony_romeo wrote: post #82

me_me_me wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

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.

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.

Re: Astronauts with disabilities can apply to Europe's space agency for first time

#84

Post by CountDrewku » Mon, May 10, 2021, 3:34 PM UTC

anthony_romeo wrote: post #77

CountDrewku wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like you're not fully thinking this through- 1. Let's say it's not a superficial "virtue-signalling" change which means it cannot be just widening their selection field as you suggested because that alone IS a superficial change unless... 2. They've decided that the they're going to change standards to make it easier for disabled individuals to gain entry which addresses the actual argument that candidates wil…

You’re overthinking it. This is a study to better inform the needs of disabled people in space. You know, for the future. I happen to think that research about the types of accommodations needed for people with disabilities is valuable, and the earlier we learn the unknown-unknowns here the better. You seem to think that this is somehow a wokeist ploy which will lower the “quality” of the space program (whatever that…

>You’re overthinking it.

Possibly, but that's sort of how my mind works for better or worse.

Your argument is a a good one IF their currents standards are just not good. For example, maybe they have a blanket standard that people who've had panic attacks can't apply or something...

>You seem to think that this is somehow a wokeist ploy which will lower the “quality” of the space

This is because I can't think of any other good reason to make an announcement like this, other than a PR stunt, which I consider virtue signaling.

In the end we'd have to see exactly what criteria they have. The blanket statement that they're allowing people with disabilities in still seems like virtue signaling to me though. I assume they've got legal reasons for not being more descriptive, that way they can still deny entry for various "disabilities".