John McFall, a British Paralympic sprinter and surgeon, has been cleared to fly to the International Space Station, becoming the first person with a physical disability to receive this approval. The European Space Agency concluded there were no technical or medical barriers to his participation. McFall, who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, aims to change perceptions about disabilities. He expressed pride in contributing to a cultural shift for inclusivity in space travel, as ESA highlights its commitment to broadening access for all in society.
This isn't about me, this is way bigger than that. I'm proud for me, but I'm proud of the mindset shift that this has achieved.
John is today certified as an astronaut who can fly on a long duration mission on the International Space Station. This is an incredible step ahead in our ambition to broaden access to society to space.
The initial aim was to assess the medical and technical feasibility of a lower limb amputee participating in a future mission.
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