Official portrait of John McFall (Photo: ESA)
British astronaut John McFall could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit, following an agreement between the UK Government and US commercial space company Vast.
The Memorandum of Understanding will see the UK Space Agency support Vast in seeking sponsorship to fund a potential spaceflight for McFall to Haven-1, which is planned to be the world’s first commercial space station.
The mission could take place as early as 2027, if sponsorship is secured.
Illustration of Haven-1 on orbit with Dragon docked. (Photo: Vast)
McFall, a former Paralympian and NHS surgeon from Hampshire, lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident at the age of 19. He was selected by the European Space Agency in 2022 for its Fly! Project, which aims to make long-duration human spaceflight more accessible to astronauts with physical disabilities.
Last year, McFall became the first person with a physical disability to be medically cleared for a long-duration space mission.
If the mission goes ahead, he would carry out research into human physiology, musculoskeletal adaptation, how prosthetics perform in microgravity, and how people move and balance in space.
The UK Space Agency said the findings could have benefits for disabled people on Earth, including the design of lighter and more adaptable prosthetics. The research could also improve understanding of conditions such as osteoporosis and muscle wastage, and support new rehabilitation techniques for amputees.
John participates in a tilt-table investigation to explore how body fluid shifts, similar to those experienced during spaceflight, affect the volume of his amputated limb in January 2025. (Photo: ESA / DLR)
McFall, who competed as a sprinter at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, said the agreement was “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,” he said.
The mission would also make McFall the first Briton to travel to space in more than a decade, following Tim Peake’s Principia mission to the International Space Station in 2015 and 2016.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said McFall’s story was “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,” she said.
“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.”
Tim Peake also welcomed the agreement, describing it as a “landmark moment for inclusive human spaceflight”.
“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,” he said.
Vast is developing its Haven programme of commercial space stations, beginning with Haven-1. The company says the station will include an innovation lab for private astronauts and government missions.
Max Haot, chief executive of Vast, said the potential opportunity for McFall to join a future Haven-1 mission showed how commercial space stations could expand access to space and support medical research.
The agreement also sets out a wider framework for UK-US collaboration on scientific research, technology development in low Earth orbit, education and public engagement.
Vast hosted the UK government to commemorate an MOU signing that will foster collaboration for joint opportunities in STEM partnerships in the UK. (Photo: Vast)
Blair McDougall, Minister for Economic Transformation, said the partnership could connect UK businesses, researchers and investors to the next generation of space infrastructure.
Companies interested in supporting McFall’s mission have been asked to contact Vast.
