John McFall becomes world’s first astronaut with a physical disability to be recruited by ESA; Here’s more about him

John McFall, aged 41, is the first astronaut with a physical impairment, or para-astronaut, to be recruited by the European space agency in a move to remove the hindrance that prevents disabled individuals from participating in space missions.

The space program wants to develop space gear modifications that allow individuals with physical limitations to serve as crew members in future missions. Dr Rosemary Coogan and Dr Meganne Christian will also accompany John McFall in the mission.

Remarkably, the first UK woman to join ESA as a career astronaut, Dr Rosemary Coogan served in the Royal Navy reserve and earned a PhD in astronomy before working for the French Space Agency.


Coogan is only the second person from the UK to join the agency’s astronaut corps after Tim Peake. She will immediately start training as she has had previous experience.

Dr Meganne Christian, a 34-year-old scientist, born in the United Kingdom who worked in Antarctica before lecturing in Italy on problem-solving and decision-making, is the third recruit.

A new initiative for ESA, the reserve consists of astronauts who passed the selection procedure but will continue to work at their regular occupations until an opportunity for a mission comes.


ESA received over 22,000 valid applications for the four-step selection process, which includes a complete medical examination to evaluate health and physical ability, group exercises, practical exams, extensive psychological evaluations, and multiple interviews.

Only 1,361 applicants and 27 of the 257 candidates with physical limitations made it to the second stage.

FAQ:

1. Who was the first person on the moon?
   Neil Armstrong
2. When was the ESA founded?
   It was founded on May 30th, 1975