NHS surgeon and former Paralympian John McFall could be the first person with physical disability in space, as early as next year.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been agreed between the UK Space Agency and US space company Vast, enabling Vast to explore sponsorship opportunities for its Haven-1 programme, scheduled for launch in 2027 as the world’s first commercial space station.
Illustration of Haven-1 space station in orbit with Dragon spacecraft docked, courtesy of Vast
That could mean that, as soon as next year, British astronaut John McFall is launched into orbit.
Last year, McFall became the first person with a physical disability to be medically cleared for a long-duration mission in space. What’s more, he would be the first person first British person in space since Tim Peake’s Principia mission in 2015-16, a decade ago.
An NHS surgeon from Hampshire, McFall lost his right leg following a motorcycle accident at the age of 19. He competed as a sprinter int he 2008 Beijing Paralympics and then, in 2022, was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) for its pioneering Fly! programme. Through this, and as a member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve, from 2023 he has trained at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.
The plan is that, on Haven-1, he will conduct pioneering research on everything from human physiology and musculoskeletal adaptation to how prosthetics perform in microgravity, and how people move and balance in space. The findings from such research could have significant benefits for disabled people on Earth, for instance in design of lighter, more adaptable prosthetics. The programme could also deepen our understanding of conditions such as osteoporosis and muscle wastage that affect many disabled people, as well as provide new insights into rehabilitation techniques for amputees.
The Haven-1 mission aims to build on ESA’s broader efforts to expand access to human spaceflight and support Europe’s role in the transition to a commercially enabled low Earth orbit. Haven-1 is intended to provide an innovation lab to private astronauts as well as government missions.
The newly agreed MOU also establishes a broader framework for UK-US collaboration, comprising scientific research and technology development in low Earth orbit, education and public engagement, and stronger links between Vast and the UK space sector.
John McFall says: ‘Signing this agreement with Vast is incredibly exciting. If we can make this mission happen, it won’t just be a milestone for human spaceflight, it will send a powerful message about what people with disabilities are capable of, and that there should be no limit to what you can achieve – on Earth or in space.’
Space Minister Liz Lloyd adds: ‘John McFall’s story is one of extraordinary determination — as a Paralympian, a surgeon, and a pioneering astronaut. This agreement with Vast brings us one step closer to making history, and to showing the world that space is for everyone. The UK is committed to being at the forefront of inclusive human spaceflight. This builds on the ground-breaking work John has already done and opens the door to a genuine flight opportunity. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.’
Tim Peake, says: ‘John McFall is an inspiration – not just to the space community, but to everyone who has ever been told there are limits to what they can achieve. This agreement is a landmark moment for inclusive human spaceflight, and I hope it brings us one step closer to seeing John in space. Space has always pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, and John’s mission would do exactly that.’
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