Paralympian Surgeon Advances Toward Spaceflight
John McFall, a Paralympian and NHS surgeon, is progressing toward becoming the first astronaut with a physical disability to travel to orbit.
McFall lost his leg in a motorcycle accident at age 19. In 2022, he was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to participate in a study focused on astronauts with physical disabilities.
Recently, a new agreement between the UK government and the US commercial space company Vast enables the UK Space Agency to secure sponsorships to fund McFall's potential spaceflight.
Background and Achievements
McFall, a father of three from Hampshire, won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. He relearned to run while studying at Swansea University and training with Welsh Paralympic athletics.
Mission Objectives
The planned mission would involve pioneering research on human physiology and musculoskeletal adaptation in space, the performance of prosthetics in microgravity, and the study of movement and balance in a space environment.
Training and Preparation
McFall acknowledged that while he is not guaranteed to reach space, he is "certainly one step closer" after being declared medically fit for a long-duration mission to the International Space Station (ISS) last year.
He noted the extensive training required, including wilderness survival, sea survival, and classroom instruction in physics, engineering, biology, human performance, and behavior.
"Everything from wilderness survival training and sea survival to a lot of classroom-based stuff, physics, engineering, biology, human performance, and behaviour," he told BBC Breakfast. "And don't forget the parabolic flights, they're also awesome fun."
Qualities Needed to Be an Astronaut
When asked about the qualities necessary to be an astronaut, McFall emphasized rationality, pragmatism, problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and the capacity to make difficult decisions under pressure.
"You've got to be a reasonably rational and pragmatic person, someone who's good at problem solving, good at communicating, able to make difficult decisions under pressure.
My experiences of having stood on the start line at Paralympic Games, but also working as a surgeon, you know, long hours, tough situations, difficult conversations with patients and families.
I think all these skills really lend themselves really well to training for being an astronaut but also living and working in space as well."
Family Support
McFall shared how his family keeps him grounded.
"My kids are only excited because, apparently, I promised if I go to space, they get a dog. I can't renege on it now," he said.
