British Paralympian McFall ‘inspired’ to become astronaut candidate

British Paralympic athlete John McFaul has become the European Space Agency’s first candidate for a disabled astronaut.Photo courtesy of ESA

He was selected to participate in ESA’s Parastronaut Feasibility Project to improve scientific understanding of the barriers to spaceflight for physically disabled astronauts.

McFaul was involved in a motorcycle accident when he was 19, resulting in the amputation of his right leg, according to ESA.

After that, he became a professional track and field athlete and represented Great Britain in the Paralympic Games. In 2008, he won the Beijing 100-meter sprint bronze medal.

McFaul completed a Bachelor’s degree at Swansea University in 2004 and a Master’s degree at the University of Wales College in Cardiff in 2005, before realizing his Paralympic dream.

McFaul also graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Cardiff University Medical School in 2014 and joined the Royal College of Surgeons in 2016. He is currently a Trauma and Orthopedic Specialist working in the South of England.

“When ESA announced that they were looking for candidates with physical disabilities to work on this astronaut feasibility program, I looked at the staffing specs and it hit me,” McFall said. tell the bbc“I feel inspired. I feel compelled to apply.”

The feasibility study was conducted jointly by ESA and NASA, which is trying to first determine whether disabled astronauts would endanger the safety of other crew members.

The new cohort also includes two other members from the UK, Rosemary Coogan and Meganne Christian.

The UK Space Command agency congratulates three of its citizens for their achievement in being selected for the ESA programme.

“I would like to extend the congratulations of everyone at UK Space Command to the new class of astronauts at the European Space Agency and best wishes to Rosemary Coogan, John McFall and Meganne Christian,” Air Vice Marshal paul godfrey Say in a statement.

“Human spaceflight has expanded our knowledge and inspired people around the world. We look forward to seeing your team at the forefront of this extraordinary endeavor.”

Current and former NASA astronauts include scott kelly Jessica Meir also tweeted her congratulations to the entire ESA class.

JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency also among those Send congratulations.

“I’ve flown in space with many of your colleagues, what an amazing team,” Kelly said. in his statement. “I envy you when you start your new adventure!”