European Space Agency announces astronauts from diverse backgrounds

The European Space Agency has announced it has taken on 11 reservist astronauts including an Australian woman and for the first time, a para-astronaut. Australian Meganne Christian, who is from New South Wales, was selected, as was John McFall - a British former Paralympian who lost his right leg in an accident when he was 19.

Η Αυστραλή Δρα Meganne Christian και ο Βρετανός John McFall, βρίσκονται ανάμεσα στους έφεδρους αστροναύτες που επέλεξε ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος Source: AFP / JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images

Australia has its first female astronaut, with University of New South Wales alumna Dr Meganne Christian selected as part of the European Space Agency’s 2022 astronaut class.

Ms Christian is one of 11 reservist astronauts selected, alongside five career astronauts and one parastronaut from more than 22,500 eligible applicants.

She will represent the United Kingdom, having been born there and holding citizenship.