Former Paralympic athlete John McFall could become first person with physical disability to live in orbit
By
Julian Dossett
Pulled from the oven just right. Trustworthy, fact-dense, deeply satisfying.
Summary
The UK government and California-based space company Vast have signed an agreement to potentially send John McFall, a former Paralympic bronze medalist and ESA reserve astronaut, on a research mission to Vast's Haven-1 space station. McFall, a 45-year-old surgeon who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident at age 19, could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit. The mission aims to demonstrate that physical disabilities are not a barrier to space exploration.
Key quotes
· 1 pulledIf we can make this mission happen, it won't just be a milestone for human spaceflight; 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.
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