On Wednesday, the European Space Agency (ESA) named the first ever “parastronaut” in a major step towards allowing people with physical disabilities to work and live in space.
“It’s been quite a whirlwind experience, given that as an amputee, I’d never thought that being an astronaut was a possibility, so excitement was a huge emotion.”
– John McFall, Former British Paralympic Sprinter
The agency has selected former British Paralympic sprinter John McFall as part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for astronaut training.
McFall lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident when he was 19. In 2008, he won the 100-metres Bronze Medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games.
The 31-year-old doctor will assist ESA engineers design changes in hardware to enable professional spaceflight to a wider group of candidates.
