Paralympics Host and AstroAccess Ambassador Sophie Morgan Completes Zero-Gravity Mission

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Left: Sophie Morgan, a white woman with long blonde hair, smiling in her headshot. Right: Sophie Morgan poses in her wheelchair on the tarmac in front of aircraft labeled “Air Zero G” in Mérignac, France.

August 27, 2024; MÉRIGNAC, FRANCE – Sophie Morgan, a British television host, passionate disability advocate, and now AstroAccess Ambassador, successfully completed a zero-gravity parabolic flight with European company Novespace on March 15 from France. Morgan’s mission represents a leap forward in the global pursuit of inclusivity and exploration as she became the first AstroAccess Ambassador to fly in Europe.

An award-winning campaigner, artist, best-selling author, producer and BAFTA-nominated TV host, Sophie Morgan is one of the first female wheelchair users globally to become a TV personality, reshaping the landscape of disability representation in media. Morgan also champions reform in air travel by advocating for increased airline accountability and accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

Reflecting on her zero-gravity mission, Morgan stated, “We all have the right to live a life full of possibility, choice, freedom, and hope, and by traveling the furthest anyone in my position has been, I hope to smash down the stereotypes that currently prevent us from dreaming as big as we deserve to.”

In conjunction with this groundbreaking endeavor, Morgan’s association with AstroAccess adds a unique dimension to her ongoing impact as an advocate for accessible air travel. AstroAccess, a program dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in space exploration for the benefit of humankind, is part of SciAccess Inc., a global nonprofit committed to fostering disability inclusion in STEM.

“AstroAccess is proud to welcome Sophie Morgan to our Ambassador cohort. Morgan’s work is a testament to breaking barriers, challenging perceptions, and advocating for authentic representation and systemic change on Earth and beyond,” says SciAccess Executive Director Anna Voelker.

In addition to her achievements in zero-gravity, Sophie Morgan will be a part of the broadcast team for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Morgan will be making history in NBC’s most disability inclusive broadcast of the Paralympic Games in American history. Morgan can be watched live during the Paris Paralympics on NBC and Peacock from August 28 – September 8.

About AstroAccess

AstroAccess is dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in space exploration for the benefit of humankind. The project is supported through the Whitesides Foundation and is part of SciAccess, an international nonprofit dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in STEM. Learn more about AstroAccess at astroaccess.org.

For media inquiries and interview requests, contact AstroAccess Media Relations at press@astroaccess.org.