A former Paralympic sprinter and NHS surgeon is a step closer to space.
The UK government and California company Vast have signed an agreement aimed at getting John McFall, a reserve astronaut with the European Space Agency, onto a research mission aboard Vast’s Haven-1 space station.
McFall, 45, lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident when he was 19. He later won bronze in the 100-metre dash at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Haven-1 is being developed by Vast as the first in its line of Haven outposts in low Earth orbit. The station is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as soon as next year.
The memorandum of understanding does not guarantee McFall a flight. In a statement released on June 2, UK officials said it “will see the U.K. Space Agency support Vast to secure sponsorships to fund a spaceflight for John”.
If McFall flies, he will work on research tied to physiology, along with prosthetics and movement in space.
UK officials said that work could benefit millions of people and support ESA’s goal of expanding access to space, along with Europe’s role in helping private interests work in low Earth orbit.
“The findings could have significant benefits for disabled people here on Earth, such as the design of lighter, more adaptable prosthetics on Earth,” UK officials wrote in the statement.
“They could also deepen our understanding of conditions like osteoporosis or muscle wastage that affect many disabled people and provide new insights into rehabilitation techniques for amputees.”
McFall called the agreement “incredibly exciting”.
“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, and that there should be no limit to what you can achieve, on Earth or in space,” he said in the announcement.
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd said McFall’s achievements in sport, medicine and science showed “extraordinary determination”.
“The UK is committed to being at the forefront of inclusive human spaceflight,” Lloyd said.
“This builds on the groundbreaking work John has already done and opens the door to a genuine flight opportunity. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
Vast has also signed a two-mission deal with the French government to fly one French astronaut to the International Space Station and another to Haven-1.
Read more from Space.
