It’s a breakthrough both in space and inclusivity, the ESA’s ‘parastronaut program’ might make a difference in healthcare practice back on Earth. A surgeon and former Paralympic sprinter, John McFall, has been selected as a reserve astronaut who might soon be the first to have a prosthesis on board the International Space Station.
A recent feasibility analysis didn’t find any major issues that could make an astronaut with a prosthesis joining an ISS mission a risk. “This is a potential opportunity to send a strong message to society and humanity, and challenge the narrative that exists around people’s expectations of what people with physical disabilities are capable of,” McFall said during a live-streamed press conference.
A study published in Communications Medicine Monday underscored the need to open up health care to more people. As the researchers noted, the McFall example may give healthcare organizations an impetus to change equipment, train differently, and update their selection criteria to make them more inclusive.
It was, in fact, ESA’s initiative and the case of Hayley Arceneaux, who flew on the privately funded Inspiration4 mission with SpaceX in 2021 after surviving cancer and getting a prosthesis, that inspired the lead author Fahran Asrar, a clinician and associate professor at the University of Toronto, to tell Wired, “We’re looking at how space technology and the space sector can make a positive difference for our Earth-based challenges.”.
The study noted that persons with disabilities were less likely to be employed than persons without, often due to ableist assumptions. Asrar said that spaceflight is inherently disabling since every astronaut experiences muscle weakness, fluid shifts, and other changes to the body during a mission—so there’s a unique vantage point for how to make environments more accessible.
The study also contributed to Dana Bolles, an engineer and communications professional who has lost both legs. Bolles is an ambassador for the non-profit program AstroAccess and has flown on parabolic aircraft to perform scientific research. The biggest challenge Bolles has faced in her career is getting beyond assumptions of what she can and can’t do.
McFall’s path to becoming history’s first parastronaut speaks to a determination and ability to stay in power. At 19 years old, he lost his leg in a motorbike accident; went on to take the bronze medal in the 100-meter race at the 2008 Paralympic Games; and earned a host of medical certifications. “I will have to wear my prosthesis at launch, so that would entail wearing it inside the pressurized suit,” clarified McFall, who said that the feasibility analysis covered many factors with his prosthesis to prove it would be compatible with ISS equipment.
The ESA’s parastronaut program does not only break barriers in space but has set a rather high standard for how much can be achieved in every area when dealing with inclusivity. As McFall said, “If we can demonstrate how methodically and thoroughly we have done this study, there’s a lot of strength to people being more open-minded to engaging in studies like this in the future.”
Meanwhile, in an associated development, the UK Space Agency has contracted Axiom Space for £200 million in a deal involving sending an all-British crew to the ISS. The early months of next year will see that event carry out some scientific experiments and outreach programs. Though the fine details of the crew of four remain unidentified, potential candidates include John McFall, Rosemary Coogan, and Meganne Christian—all of whom hold extensive training and qualifications for just this very event.
The UK’s most experienced astronaut, Tim Peake, was announced to join Axiom Space as a strategic advisor for the mission. “An all-UK mission presents a very special opportunity for our country to put a marker down in creating not only a strong presence but also leadership in the commercial space sector,” said Peake.
As the world witnesses these pioneering efforts, it envisions that lessons learned in outer space shall be reproduced on Earth with more inclusiveness and accessibility.