European Space Agency Welcomes World’s First Astronaut With A Disability

In a major boost for people living with impairments, the European Space Agency (ESA) recently introduced John McFall, the world’s first astronaut with a disability. 

McFall, who lost his right leg at the age of 19, will become the first recruit for a new program looking to develop options for the inclusion of astronauts with physical disabilities. 

The Parastronaut Feasibility Project will see the UK surgeon—now the world’s first ‘parastronaut’—aid the agency in investigating the costs and accommodations needed to send astronauts with disabilities into space. 

According to Engadget, McFall was selected from 257 entrants who responded to the ESA’s call for candidates with disabilities who could pass stringent physical and psychological tests. He will soon enter a 12-month-long training program at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.

Aside from medical school, the impressive parastronaut doubled up as a professional athlete, winning a bronze medal for the 100-meter dash at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008, among a whole host of other awards. 

Going forward, McFall will work with the agency to improve its understanding of, and devise ways to overcome, the barriers astronauts with physical disabilities may face on future space flights. 

At the ceremony, 16 other new astronaut candidates were instated from a pool of over 22,500 applicants across the continent, including five career astronauts and 11 members of an astronaut reserve. 

“This is an extraordinary time for human spaceflight and for Europe. After the successful launch of Artemis I with ESA’s European Service Module powering Orion to the Moon, we are on the forefront of human space exploration,” proclaims David Parker, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration.

[via Engadget and European Space Agency, cover image via European Space Agency]