PARIS:The first-ever astronaut with a physical disability has been cleared for a mission onboard the International Space Station, the European Space Agency announced on Friday.
John McFall, a 43-year-old British surgeon and former Paralympian who lost a leg in a motorbike accident when he was 19, said he was “hugely proud” of clearing the hurdle.
Since announcing McFall as a member of its astronaut reserve in 2022, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been assessing the feasibility of someone with a prosthesis becoming a crew member on a space mission.
On Friday, the ESA announced that McFall had received medical clearance for a long-duration mission onboard the International Space Station (ISS).
McFall emphasized that he was “relatively passive” in the process, and just had to be medically healthy and carry out the required tasks.
“This is way bigger than me — this is a cultural shift,” he told an online press conference.
There is no date yet for when McFall will get his chance to become what the ESA has dubbed the first “parastronaut.”
“Now he’s an astronaut like everybody else who wants to fly to the space station, waiting for a mission assignment,” the ESA’s director of human and robotic exploration Daniel Neuenschwander said.
The ESA’s announcement comes as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have come under attack from the new US administration of Donald Trump.
“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,” Neuenschwander said.
“We will continue with our European values,” he emphasized, adding that all ISS partners — which includes the United States — had given McFall medical clearance.
The next phase of the feasibility study will look at some of the hardware needed, including prosthetics, so that McFall can best overcome any additional challenges in space.
McFall said that technologies they are working on “are going to trickle down and have benefits for prosthetic users in wider society as well.”
First astronaut with a disability cleared for space station mission
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First astronaut with a disability cleared for space station mission
- The first-ever astronaut with a physical disability has been cleared for a mission onboard the International Space Station, the European Space Agency announced on Friday
Messi to unveil 21-meter statue of himself on India ‘GOAT’ tour
- Iron sculpture in Kolkata is part of a so-called GOAT Tour that will take in four Indian cities
- Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week
KOLKATA: Lionel Messi will unveil a 21-meter (70-foot) statue of himself in India on Saturday as he embarks on a three-day tour of the country that has sparked a fan frenzy.
The iron sculpture in Kolkata, which shows Messi holding aloft the World Cup, is part of a so-called GOAT Tour that will take in four Indian cities and a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar will unveil the monument virtually rather than in person for security reasons.
A “Hola Messi” fan zone has also been set up in Kolkata where on display is a life-sized replica of Messi sat on a throne.
The hall also recreates his Miami home, complete with mannequins of his family members.
Football fan Samir Nandy said it would be “a dream come true” to catch a glimpse of his idol.
“Legends are not made by success alone. It is his resilience that made me believe in him,” Nandy, 64, said in Kolkata.
“The statue is a fitting tribute to him.”
Monti Paul, the statue’s main sculptor, said the structure was built inside 40 days.
“It’s a matter of pride to build the sculpture of Messi. It’s the tallest statue I have made,” he said.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will also meet Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly during his whirlwind trip to Kolkata.
Ahead of his arrival, Messi said it was an honor to visit India and interact with the fans.
“India is a very special country and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago — the fans were fantastic,” Messi said in a statement.
“India is a passionate football nation and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game.”
After Kolkata, where Messi will play a short friendly match, he will head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
In Hyderabad he will attend a concert in his honor and play another friendly.
He is reportedly scheduled to meet Modi in the capital.
Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina’s defense of the World Cup in June-July in North America.
