Agreement moves Paralympian McFall closer to historic space mission
A new agreement between the UK Government and commercial space company Vast has moved UK astronaut John McFall a step closer to becoming the first person with a physical disability to undertake a long-duration mission in orbit.
The memorandum of understanding will see the UK Space Agency support Vast in securing sponsorship for a future mission to the company's planned Haven-1 commercial space station, scheduled for launch in 2027.
McFall, an NHS surgeon and former Paralympian who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident at the age of 19, was selected in 2022 for the European Space Agency's Fly! project. Last year he became the first astronaut with a physical disability to be medically cleared for a long-duration mission.
Alongside its significance for inclusive human spaceflight, the proposed mission would support research into human physiology, musculoskeletal adaptation and the performance of prosthetic limbs in microgravity.
The findings could help improve prosthetic design while providing new insights into rehabilitation techniques and conditions such as osteoporosis and muscle wasting.
McFall said the agreement represented an important step towards making the mission a reality.
“If 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,” he said.
The agreement also establishes a wider framework for UK-US collaboration covering scientific research, technology development in low Earth orbit, education and links between Vast and the UK space sector.
Space minister Liz Lloyd said the partnership builds on McFall's work through ESA's Fly! project and brings the UK closer to an inclusive human spaceflight mission.
The UK’s first European Space Agency astronaut and second Briton to travel into Space, Tim Peake said the mission would represent “a landmark moment for inclusive human spaceflight”.
Meanwhile, Vast chief executive Max Haot said commercial space stations could broaden access to space while supporting medical research with benefits on Earth.
If the mission proceeds, McFall would become the first Briton to travel into space since Peake's Principia mission in 2015-16.
Pic: International Space Station (WikiImages)
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