First ever parastronaut cleared for the stars

Who is he?!

John McFall, age 43, a paralympic athlete and recently an ESA astronaut. He has been cleared to launch into space to be the first ever disabled astronaut to leave the earth's atmosphere.

Where did it all start?

John Mcfall, born in Frimley, Surrey, on April 25, 1981, became a runner and hockey player as a teenager, but at 19 years old, he lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident. Five years later, John McFall became a professional track and field athlete, going on to achieve the highest world ranking in 2007 for the 200-meter sprint.

Image: John Mcfall as a paralympic athlete in 2008* Credit: BOA

When did he become an ESA astronaut?

In November 2022, John McFall was selected by the ESA to become the first ever parastronaut. He wanted to become an astronaut to see if it was feasible for someone with a physical disability to live and work in space, which will go on to inspire millions of disabled people who want to do the same thing.

How did he get cleared to go into space?

A two-year feasibility study was done on the parastronaut to see if his prosthetic would prevent him from working and living in space, but the study concluded that it would not affect that at all, proving that disabled people can go into space after all.

Image: John Mcfall on a parabolic flight Credit: ESA

When will he fly?

John McFall will fly on the all-UK astronaut mission Axiom 5* in 2025, becoming the first ever disabled astronaut to leave the earth's atmosphere and capturing and inspiring the hearts of disabled children around the world.

Wrap up

It is great to hear that John McFall will be able to enter space as the first ever disabled astronaut! (parastronaut), inspiring a lot of people around the world to do the same.

This is Ownitt, signing out. I will see you in the next one!