Hampshire Surgeon Could Become First Disabled Astronaut in Space

John McFall, a Hampshire surgeon and former Paralympian, is being considered for a mission to a commercial space station in 2027 — a journey that could make him the first person with a physical disability to complete a long-duration space mission.

Mr McFall, who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident, was selected by the European Space Agency in 2022 for its Fly! project, which explores how astronauts with physical disabilities can take part in future missions. Last year, he became the first person with a physical disability to be medically cleared for long-duration spaceflight.

If selected, he would conduct research into how prosthetic limbs perform in microgravity and how the human body adapts to space. The findings could improve prosthetic design and provide new insights into rehabilitation, osteoporosis, and muscle loss.

"If we can make this mission happen, it won't just be a milestone for human spaceflight," Mr McFall said. "It will send a powerful message about what people with disabilities are capable of, and that there should be no limit to what you can achieve — on Earth or in space."

Tim Peake called Mr McFall "an inspiration" and described the agreement as "a landmark moment for inclusive human spaceflight."