A British paralympian could soon be the first disabled person in outer space.
John McFall, who took the Bronze medal in the 100m sprint at the 2008 Beijing games, has been selected to take part in the astronaut training programme by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The 41-year-old spaceman in training said the programme was an “inspiring and exhilirating opportunity” and praised the ESA for opening their search to a disabled candidate.
Speaking at the ESA Class of 2022 announcement ceremony in the Grand Palais Ephemere in Paris, Mr McFall said: “With my broad scientific background and vast range of experiences I felt compelled to try and help ESA answer this question ‘can we get someone with a physical disability to do meaningul work in space?’.”
Mr Mcfall, a Surrey man who lost his right leg in a motorbike accident aged 19, was picked for out of a field of more than 22,500 applicants and will be joined by British astronomer Rosemary Coogan. She is among six career astronauts to join the ESA workforce as permanent staff members.
Meanwhile, Meganne Christian, who was born in the UK and studied in Australia, will become a member of the ESA’s astronaut reserve.
Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “This is a momentous day for the UK Space Agency, our space sector and the country as a whole.
British members of the ESA Class of 2022: Meganne Christian, left, John McFall, centre, and Rosemary Coogan
(AFP/Getty)
“Through our investment in the European Space Agency, the UK is playing a leading role in space exploration and collaborating with international partners to use the unique vantage point of space to benefit life on Earth.”
“Space has an incredible power to inspire and I am sure Rosemary, John and Meganne will become heroes for many young people and inspire them to shoot for the stars.
“It’s also important to remember that, behind every astronaut, there is a dedicated team of people, including in the UK, working behind the scenes to achieve the incredible.”
The largest number of applicants for this year’s programme came from France (7,087), followed by Germany (3,695), and the UK (2,000).
Following a comprehensive screening phase, 1,361 people were invited to phase two of ESA’s astronaut selection, which was narrowed down to just over 400 applicants during phase three.
During ESA’s last call for astronauts in 2008, the number of applicants who provided a medical certificate and finalised their online application form was 8,413.
Tim Peake was among those selected, becoming the first British astronaut to be part of the ESA corps.
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