Star Sailors and the Labels That Ground Them
When the European Space Agency introduced the term “parastronaut” for physically disabled astronaut candidates, it echoed a history of language shaping who gets to reach for the stars. The word “astronette,” once used to diminish women’s roles in space, reveals how a simple suffix can carry layers of exclusion.
Similarly, “parastronaut” borrows from the Paralympics, but the Greek prefix “para-” brings ambiguity—suggesting both partnership and separation, or even abnormality. Unlike the parallel tracks of the Olympics and Paralympics, space travel has no separate lane; either you’re part of the crew, or you’re not.
The term “disabled” isn’t a mark of weakness, but a reflection of barriers built into our world, not into people. Disability rights advocates have reclaimed the word as a badge of resilience and community. When it comes to space, titles matter: every astronaut, regardless of body or background, deserves a name that honors their journey, not one that sets them apart.
Sometimes, the real frontier is language itself.
#SpaceInclusion #DisabilityRights #Astronauts #Culture
