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The Guardian World1 min read
Paralympian could become first astronaut with disability to live and work in space
TL;DR
Paralympian John McFall is on track to become the first astronaut with a disability to live and work in space. A new agreement between the UK government and Vast will help fund his spaceflight for research on human physiology and prosthetics in microgravity.
Key points
- John McFall is a Paralympian and NHS surgeon.
- He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident at 19.
- McFall was selected by the European Space Agency in 2022.
- A new agreement will help fund his spaceflight.
- The mission will focus on research in microgravity.
Mentioned in this story
John McFallEuropean Space AgencyUK Space AgencyVast
Paralympian and NHS surgeon John McFall is one step closer to becoming the first physically disabled astronaut to reach orbit.
McFall, who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident when he was 19, was selected by the European Space Agency in 2022 for a study on physically disabled astronauts.
And now a new agreement - between the UK government and US commercial space company Vast - means the UK Space Agency will be able to secure sponsorships to fund a spaceflight for him.
The father-of-three from Hampshire won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games after learning to run again while at Swansea University and training with other Welsh Paralympic athletics.
The mission would see him conduct pioneering research spanning human physiology and musculoskeletal adaptation, how prosthetics perform in microgravity, and how people move and balance in space.
McFall admitted he was "not guaranteed to get to space" but he was "certainly one step closer".
He cleared the first step after he was declared medically fit for a long-duration mission to the International Space Station (ISS) last year.
But he admitted there was a "huge amount of training" that was required to get there.
"Everything from wilderness survival training and sea survival to a lot of classroom-based stuff, physics, engineering, biology, human performance, and behaviour," he told BBC Breakfast.
"And don't forget the parabolic flights, they're also awesome fun."
Asked what it took to be an astronaut, he said: "You've got to be a reasonably rational and pragmatic person, someone who's good at problem solving, good at communicating, able to make difficult decisions under pressure.
"My experiences of having stood on the start line at Paralympic Games, but also working as a surgeon, you know, long hours, tough situations, difficult conversations with patients and families.
"I think all these skills really lend themselves really well to training for being an astronaut but also living and working in space as well."
McFall admitted his family kept his feet on the ground.
"My kids are only excited because, apparently, I promised if I go to space, they get a dog. I can't renege on it now," he said.
"It's a little bit difficult."
Q&A
Who is John McFall and what is his background?
John McFall is a Paralympian and NHS surgeon who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident at 19 and won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
What is the significance of John McFall's potential spaceflight?
If successful, John McFall would be the first physically disabled astronaut to reach orbit, conducting important research on prosthetics and human physiology in space.
How is the UK government supporting John McFall's space mission?
The UK government has partnered with the US commercial space company Vast to secure sponsorships that will fund McFall's spaceflight.
