This former Paralympic athlete could become the 1st person with a physical disability to live in orbit

space.com Jun 9, 2026

This former Paralympic athlete could become the 1st person with a physical disability to live in orbit

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 9, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Former Paralympic athlete John McFall, a reserve astronaut with the European Space Agency, may become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit. McFall, a surgeon who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident, won a bronze medal in the 100-meter dash at the 2008 Paralympic Games. He is set to work on research related to physiology, prosthetics, and movement in space aboard Vast's Haven-1 space station, which is expected to launch in low Earth orbit next year. The U.K. government will support Vast to secure sponsorships to fund McFall's spaceflight.

💡 Why It Matters

· McFall's mission could lead to significant breakthroughs in prosthetic design and rehabilitation techniques for amputees, directly benefiting millions of people with disabilities on Earth.
· His achievement would also send a powerful message about the capabilities of people with disabilities and pave the way for inclusive human spaceflight.

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