Physical disabilities shouldn’t hold anyone back from achieving their life goals. And the European Space Agency (ESA) has offered a real-life example of this fact. They announced their selection of the first-ever parastronaut: John McFall. A British Paralympian, at the age of 19 he had his right leg amputated after a motorcycle accident.
A Real Turning Point
McFall referred to his selection in the ESA program as a “real turning point and mark in history.” He went on to say it sends a powerful message to all of humanity. Space should not — and is no longer — limited to only those who are without physical disabilities.
Josef Aschbacher, the director general of ESA, has publicly said that having a physical disability shouldn’t stop someone from becoming an astronaut. He also said he would like to see other space agencies considering astronaut candidates like McFall who have physical disabilities.
Redefining and Redesigning Space Missions
As the first parastronaut, McFall will help redesign what space missions look like, specifically regarding adaptions that will ensure people with physical disabilities can be a part of space exploration. He will participate in a feasibility study that is expected to last two to three years and will examine the hurdles parastronauts will face and what modification will be necessary to overcome them. These supports include potentially redesigning space suits as well as aircrafts. It will be at least five years before McFall will travel to space.
NASA’s spokesperson Dan Huot commented on McFall’s inclusion in ESA by saying NASA is watching this process with a great interest. While current NASA requirements have not been updated to include those with physical disabilities, NASA assistive technology of the future may play a role in updating their specifications.
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