In a historic first, the European Space Agency (ESA) has medically cleared its first astronaut with a physical disability, John McFall, for missions to the International Space Station (ISS). McFall, who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident at 19 and uses a prosthetic, is now certified as an astronaut capable of flying on long-duration missions to the ISS.
The certification marks a significant step forward for accessibility in space travel. ESA selected McFall as part of its 2022 astronaut class, which included efforts to recruit individuals with physical disabilities. Since his selection, McFall has participated in a feasibility study called “Fly!” that examined various aspects of space travel, including training, ISS operations, and medical issues.
The study’s findings have been overwhelmingly positive, with the ESA director stating that he was expecting some technical difficulties but found none. The main challenge was changing people’s mindsets about what is possible for individuals with physical disabilities.
Although McFall has not yet been assigned to a specific mission, he is now considered an astronaut like any other and is waiting for a flight opportunity. This development is seen as a significant step towards broader accessibility in space travel, particularly for individuals with disabilities.
Source: https://spacenews.com/esa-astronaut-with-physical-disability-medically-cleared-for-iss-missions