The British astronaut John McFall is poised to become the first physically disabled person to travel to orbit. The man with an unconventional path explains why, in weightlessness aboard a space station, having two legs may not be strictly necessary.
The first physically disabled person to live in orbit
A physician and former British Paralympic athlete, John McFall (45) lives with a prosthesis since the age of 19. Indeed, he was amputated above the knee of his right leg following a serious motorcycle accident in Thailand. He began training as an elite sprinter in 2005, including earning a bronze medal in the 100 meters (T42 category) at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. After his racing career, he pursued medical studies from 2014 and became a orthopedic surgeon and trauma specialist for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
In 2022, John McFall joined the ESA’s Fly! Program, a feasibility study aimed at evaluating the compatibility of a physical disability with life in orbit. The ESA ultimately confirmed there are no medical or technical obstacles hindering his ability to undertake a long-duration mission on the International Space Station (ISS).
As revealed in an official press release published on June 2, 2026, John McFall could be the first physically disabled person to live in orbit. A government agreement with the American private space company Vast set the stage. He has been selected to travel with the forthcoming private Haven-1 space station (see below).
Theoretical health advantages
During an interview with Live Science published on June 16, 2026, John McFall notably responded to the question: “What advantages do you think your disability could confer in space compared to other astronauts?” In reality, there are only hypotheses, since there is no precedent. However, tests have suggested certain theoretical health benefits.
Consider, for example, the neuro-ocular syndrome associated with spaceflight (SANS), affecting between 70 and 75% of astronauts. In microgravity, fluids from the lower part of the body shift toward the upper portion and the cranium, potentially causing swelling of the optic disc and temporarily impacting vision—the so-called syndrome. Or, John McFall believes that with a reduced volume in the lower limbs, fluid shifts would be proportionally smaller in microgravity, reducing the risks of SANS.
Additionally, weightlessness means that bones are less stressed in microgravity, leading to natural bone resorption by the body. Thus, bones weaken and thin, a process that results in a large amount of calcium being excreted in the urine. Unfortunately, the passage of this calcium through the kidneys increases the risk of kidney stones. For John McFall, a lower initial bone mass and an unchanged physiological capacity to metabolize calcium could reduce this risk.
What about mobility?
Regarding mobility, the ESA tests showed that in zero gravity the use of a prosthesis could be optional or different depending on the situation. In weightlessness, John McFall could move without his prosthesis to carry out resuscitation procedures. However, the prosthesis remains essential for launch safety and for athletic performance.
According to the astronaut, routine tasks inside the spacecraft, such as handling cargo and maintenance, would not pose particular problems. The man believes that the key is to ensure you are tethered to something to prevent even a slight movement from sending you off in another direction.
