Paralympian could become first astronaut with disability to live and work in space
Summary
John McFall, a Paralympian and NHS surgeon who lost a leg in an accident, is moving closer to becoming the first physically disabled astronaut to live and work in space. He was selected by the European Space Agency for a special study and may soon fly to the International Space Station with funding from a new UK-US space partnership.Key Facts
- John McFall lost his leg at age 19 in a motorcycle accident.
- He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
- McFall was chosen by the European Space Agency in 2022 for research on disabled astronauts.
- A new UK government deal with US company Vast can help fund his spaceflight.
- He was declared medically fit for a long mission on the International Space Station last year.
- McFall will study how the body and prosthetics work in zero gravity.
- Training includes survival skills, science classes, and practice flights simulating weightlessness.
- McFall believes his Paralympic and surgeon experience helps him with astronaut challenges.
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