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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Hannah Devlin Science correspondent

DARK SECRETS: British paralympian is first person with physical disability cleared for space mission | Rare Historical Photos

John McFall wearing blue Esa uniform
John McFall, 46, whose right leg was amputated above the knee after a motorcycle accident, said he hoped to change perceptions of those with disabilities, urging people to ‘assume capability’. Photograph: ESA

A British Paralympic sprinter and surgeon has become the first person with a physical disability to be cleared to fly to the International Space Station in a landmark for human space exploration.

John McFall, 43, is a member of the European Space Agency’s astronaut corps and is now waiting to be assigned a mission after a feasibility study concluded there were no technical or medical reasons why he should not fly.

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