John McFall, a British surgeon and former Paralympian, becomes the first astronaut with a physical disability to be cleared for a long-duration mission on the International Space Station.
PARIS, France — The European Space Agency (ESA) announced on Friday that John McFall, a 43-year-old British surgeon and former Paralympian, has received medical clearance for a long-duration mission on the International Space Station (ISS). McFall, who lost a leg in a motorbike accident at 19, will become the first astronaut with a physical disability to fly to space.
Since announcing McFall as a member of its astronaut reserve in 2022, the ESA has been assessing the feasibility of a person with a prosthesis performing as a crew member on a space mission. McFall emphasized that he was 'relatively passive' in the process, only needing to be medically healthy and complete the required tasks. 'This is way bigger than me — this is a cultural shift,' he told an online press conference.There is no date set for McFall's mission, but he is now considered an astronaut like any other, awaiting a mission assignment. 'Now he's an astronaut like everybody else who wants to fly to the space station, waiting for a mission assignment,' said Daniel Neuenschwander, the ESA's director of human and robotic exploration. This announcement comes at a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives face scrutiny from the new US administration. Neuenschwander acknowledged the shift in perspective from one of the ISS partners, stating, 'We are now entering a world which is changing a bit from a DEI perspective from one of our partners of the International Space Station.' He emphasized the ESA's commitment to European values, adding that all ISS partners, including the United States, had given McFall medical clearance.The next phase of the feasibility study will focus on the hardware required, including prosthetics, to ensure McFall can overcome any space-related challenges. McFall expressed optimism that the technologies being developed 'are going to trickle down and have benefits for prosthetic users in wider society as well.
Astronaut Disability Space Station European Space Agency Diversity
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rubio Sworn In as First Trump Cabinet Nominee, Vows 'America First' Foreign PolicyUS Senator Marco Rubio from Florida has been sworn in as Secretary of State, marking him as the first member of President Donald Trump's cabinet to assume office. Rubio, a Republican known for his hawkish stance on China and strong support for Israel, emphasized that American interests will be prioritized in US foreign policy under Trump. He pledged to promote peace 'through strength' and uphold US values.
Read more »
Vance offers an ‘America First’ argument on AI deregulation in his first foreign policy speechPARIS—In his first big moment on the world stage, Vice President JD Vance delivered an unmistakable message: the United States under the 47th president has room for you on the Trump train—but it also has no problem leaving you behind.
Read more »
Rappler Community Team Connects with Disability and Gender Rights AdvocatesThis January, the Rappler Community team embarked on a journey of learning and connection, hosting meetings with advocates from the disability rights and gender equality sectors. The meetings aimed to identify gaps in Rappler's reporting, exchange ideas on best practices, and foster a more inclusive and representative media landscape.
Read more »
Foundever Hosts Disability at Foundever Summit 2024 to Promote Inclusive WorkplaceFoundever®, a global leader in customer experience (CX) solutions, hosted the Disability at Foundever (DAF) Summit 2024 to emphasize the significance of creating an inclusive workplace culture for associates with visible and non-apparent disabilities. The summit featured inspiring stories from associates, a 'human library' segment, and discussions on fostering empathy, resilience, and support within the organization.
Read more »
House Panel Clears Suspended Porac, Pampanga Officials of POGO InvolvementThe House of Representatives’ quad committee cleared suspended Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil and other local officials of any wrongdoing in connection with illegal offshore gaming operations in their town. The certification comes ahead of the start of the election campaign period for local candidates. Capil is seeking a third term alongside his daughter, Trisha Angelie, who is his running mate.
Read more »
Jollibee Opens First Tiong Bahru Bakery in PhilippinesJollibee Foods Corp. has opened its first Tiong Bahru Bakery branch in the Philippines, marking its entry into the baked bread sector. Located at the Verve Residences Tower 2 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the bakery is known for its croissants and handmade pastries. This is the first international branch of Tiong Bahru Bakery, which originated in Singapore and has 21 branches there.
Read more »