UK and Vast to support paralympian surgeon orbit mission

A British Paralympian and surgeon is poised to become the first person with a physical disability to live and work in orbit following a new agreement between the UK government and a US commercial space company. John McFall, a member of the European Space Agency's astronaut reserve, could undertake a mission to the Haven1 space station as early as 2027.

The UK Space Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with the California-based company Vast, which is developing Haven1. The agreement establishes a framework to secure sponsorship funding for McFall's potential flight. Officials described the deal as a significant step toward making human spaceflight more inclusive.

McFall, 45, lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident at age 19. He later became a professional sprinter, winning a bronze medal in the 100 meters at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. After retiring from athletics, he retrained as a doctor and currently works as an NHS trauma and orthopaedic surgeon. In 2022, he was selected by the European Space Agency for its pioneering "Fly!" project, which studies the feasibility of astronauts with physical disabilities participating in long-duration space missions.