ESA Approves First 'Parastronaut' for Space Mission

John McFall, a British astronaut with a prosthetic leg, has been cleared for a potential long-term mission to the International Space Station.

John McFall, a 43-year-old British surgeon and former Paralympic sprinter, has been approved as the first astronaut with a physical disability to potentially fly to space.
The European Space Agency (ESA) conducted a detailed study to assess the feasibility of a space mission for individuals with disabilities, ultimately granting McFall medical certification.
ESA leaders emphasized this milestone as a cultural shift aimed at making space exploration more inclusive and accessible to all members of society.
While McFall has not yet been assigned a specific mission, over a dozen proposals are under review, with discussions ongoing about the possibility of spacewalks.
McFall described the achievement as a collective effort to challenge perceptions and break barriers, highlighting its broader societal implications beyond his personal journey.