British Paralympian is first person with physical disability cleared for space mission | Space

British British runner and surgeon became the first person to suffer from a physical disability to fly to International Space Station In a teacher to explore human space.

John Makfal, 43, is a member of the European Space Pioneer Corps, and he is now waiting for a task after the feasibility study concluded that there are no technical or medical causes for his lack of awareness.

Talk to this announcement, Guaranteed He said he hoped to change the perceptions of those with disabilities, and urged people to “take over”, unless he stipulates otherwise.

“This is not about me, this is greater than that,” said McFal, whose right knee was amputated after a motorcycle accident.

Daniel Nenchewan, Director of Human Exploration and Question at the European Space Agency, said the agency was “writing history.”

He said: “Today, John is as an astronaut who can fly on a long -term mission in international space station. This is an incredible step forward in our ambition to expand access to society into space. “

The McFall, who had a bronze medal in Beijing Paralympic’s 2008 games, was chosen, the orthopedic surgeon, to join a future task. By the end of last year, the European Space Agency concluded that it was technically possible, and McFall was granted the highest medical certificate in a long -term mission, which usually reaches six months.

McFall said it “felt strange” to prove himself after he distinguished in sports and professional medicine. “As an athlete … no one wondered. You have a disability and it is supposed to be an elite and a wonderful elite in sports. As a surgeon, my disability was not important.” “The thing that surprised me more than others was suddenly I was allowed to this environment and was interrogated about whether I could do something or not.

He added: “I must admit that the ability was not automatically assumed.” “In my head, the ability is automatically assumed. I hope to be able to change this mentality a little. Unless I say otherwise, I assume I can do this.”

He previously pushed McFall to use the title “Parastronaut”, and said he risked creating an unnecessary gap. “I am not from the wounds of the paragraph, I am a surgeon. I am not from the paragraph, I am my father,” he is Tell the trustee.

He said Feasibility study, known as the fly!Ensure that the European Space Agency managed to secure entry from international partners working at the International Space Station, which included the United States and Russia.

“The reception was very warm and positive from international partners,” McFal said. Because of the comprehensive, detailed systematic work … IDPs were not only able to go: “Why not? naturally.'”

This recording comes at a time when President Donald Trump ordered a campaign of diversity, fairness and integration (Dei) and NASA Remove all Dei signsIncluding terms such as “access” or “anything that specifically targets women.” The European Space Agency continued to highlight its ambitions to improve diversity, with Two women out of five Pioneers of functional space who were chosen in 2022.

“We are now entering a world that changes a little from a Dei perspective from one of our partners.” “We have our European values. We will continue our European values ​​… I do not see any reason that makes us change our approach in this context.”

Since he is a member of the ESA astronaut, McFall is not guaranteed with a trip to the International Space Station, scheduled to be operated in 2030.

Neunschwander said: “Now is an astronaut like anyone else who wants to fly to the International Space Station waiting for an important task. First and above all there is no Showstopper. He is qualified as an astronaut to fly to the International Space Station. The main goal for me is to fly all astronauts. We have … to give them a chance of a trip.