Former Somerset schoolboy named new astronaut

John McFall is the first person with a physical disability ever selected by the European Space Agency

John McFall could be the first person with a physical disability to go to space
Author: James DiamondPublished 23rd Nov 2022

A former Paralympian who went to school in Somerset has been named as a new astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA).

John McFall, who is now 41, is originally from Surrey but went to school at Millfield in Street and won a bronze medal in the 100 metres at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008, after losing a leg in a motorbike accident.

He's been named as one of 17 new astronauts with the ESA and is the only person ever to be selected with a physical disability, after a recruitment campaign began last year.

"I've always been hugely interested in science generally and space exploration has always been on my radar," he told the ESA.

"But, having had a motorcycle accident when I was 19, like wanting to join the armed forces, having a disability was always a contrary indication to doing that.

"And then, in early 2021 when the advert for an astronaut with a physical disability came out, I read the person specification and what it entailed, and I thought, 'wow this is such a huge, interesting opportunity.'

"And I thought, that I would be a very good candidate to help ESA answer that question, 'can we get someone with a physical disability into space?'

"And I felt compelled to apply."

John lost a leg in a motorbike accident aged 19

In all the ESA received 22,523 applications in 2021 to become an astronaut, 257 of which came from people with a disability.

John is one of just 17 who have been selected and are now, literally, shooting for the stars.

"ESA’s new astronaut candidates will take up duty at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany," a statement from the ESA reads.

"After completion of the 12-month basic training, the new astronauts will be ready to enter the next Space Station training phase and, once assigned to a mission, their training will be tailored to specific mission tasks."

John says he's hugely looking forward to what's to come.

"I was incredibly excited and proud of myself that I'd got through the selection process," he said.

"It had been quite a whirlwind experience and given that, as an amputee, I never thought that being an astronaut was a possibility.

"So, excitement was a huge emotion (when he found out he was picked) and I look forward to what the future holds."

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