Canada Global (Web News) The European Space Agency (ESA) has cleared John McFall, the first astronaut with a physical disability, for a future mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
McFall, a 43-year-old British surgeon and former Paralympian, lost his leg in a motorbike accident at 19. Since joining ESA’s astronaut reserve in 2022, he has been part of a study assessing the feasibility of astronauts with prosthetics.
On Friday, ESA announced that McFall had received medical clearance for a long-duration mission. While no date has been set, he is now eligible for assignment like any other astronaut.
ESA officials emphasized their commitment to diversity despite shifting policies in the U.S. Meanwhile, the agency is exploring necessary adaptations, including prosthetic modifications, to ensure McFall can perform effectively in space. He noted that these advancements could benefit prosthetic users worldwide.
