A British astronaut, John McFall, has been medically certified to join a mission on the International Space Station, becoming the first person with a physical disability to do so. McFall, a former paralympian sprinter, was cleared by the European Space Agency (ESA) after completing a feasibility study that lasted around a month.
The study looked at more than 80 areas, including medical aspects, and involved medical exams where McFall demonstrated he could perform required tasks while being mostly “passive.” He has been part of the ESA astronaut reserve since 2022 and was selected for the Fly! feasibility study to look into the challenges of having a disabled astronaut on the ISS.
The milestone signifies a significant shift in how people with disabilities are treated, according to McFall. He believes it shows that with the right support and mindset change, it’s possible to break down barriers. The ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration described John as a “marvellous example” of inclusiveness, highlighting Europe’s values.
While a specific mission date has not been announced, experts say this is just the beginning. McFall, who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident at 19 and went on to become an orthopaedic surgeon, will be supported by the UK Space Agency as he moves forward with the next phase of the Fly! Mission Ready.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/british-astronaut-cleared-to-become-first-disabled-person-to-join-space-station-mission-13309096