British Paralympian could be first astronaut with physical disability to live in orbit

The Guardian UK Tuesday 02 June 2026, 05:00 UTC By Ian Sample Science editor 1 min read

Key Points

John McFall prepares for mission to Haven-1 space station after UK Space Agency signs deal with US startup VastA British Paralympian and surgeon could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit after the government signed a deal with a US company that is building a small commercial space station. John McFall, a member of the European Space Agency (Esa) astronaut reserve, was cleared for activities in orbit last year and could take part in a mission to the Haven-1...

John McFall prepares for mission to Haven-1 space station after UK Space Agency signs deal with US startup Vast

A British Paralympian and surgeon could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit after the government signed a deal with a US company that is building a small commercial space station.

John McFall, a member of the European Space Agency (Esa) astronaut reserve, was cleared for activities in orbit last year and could take part in a mission to the Haven-1 space station soon after its proposed launch in 2027.

British Paralympian (ORG) John McFall (PERSON) UK Space Agency (ORG) US (LOCATION) the European Space Agency (ORG) Esa (ORG)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

Nasa chief defends choice of all-male Artemis III crew Critics fear the agency is following Trump’s order to eliminate diversity and inclusion efforts despite its vow to put a woman on the moon Nasa’s administrator Jared Isaacman on Wednesday defended the make-up of the space agency’s latest Artemis crew, an all-male group. The nominations have earned criticism that Nasa may have acted in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s direction to eliminate diversity and inclusion efforts....

South China Morning Post 30m ago

The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs may have created a vast underground habitat for life that lasted 8 million years

The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs may have created a vast underground habitat for life that lasted 8 million years The Chicxulub impact may have actually helped nurture life while destroying it, too. The asteroid impact that doomed the dinosaurs may also have built one of Earth's longest-lasting underground ecosystems. When a roughly 6-mile-wide (10-kilometer-wide) asteroid slammed into what is now Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula 66 million years ago, it triggered a global catastrophe...

Space.com 32m ago

British Paralympian could be first astronaut with physical disability to live in orbit

Related Stories

SpaceX Leaves Some Banks Peeved at Junior Roles in IPO Lineup

'Worrying' pollution in Cotswolds river - volunteers

Nasa chief defends choice of all-male Artemis III crew

The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs may have created a vast underground habitat for life that lasted 8 million years