The name of the world's first para-astronaut has become known, he became the Paralympic sprinter John McFall, reports the European Space Agency.
John McFall from the UK has joined a new squad of 17 people who will be trained for future space flights.
Photo: Julien Behal — PA Images/Getty Images
McFall is 40 years old, lost his right leg above the knee at 19 after a serious motorcycle accident.After prosthetics, he took up sports, entered the British Paralympic team and competed for his country in the 100 meters at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, showing a time of 13,08 seconds and bringing a bronze medal to his team.
The European Space Society in 2021 announced a competition for the position of an astronaut with disabilities. A total of 257 applications were received, John McFall was selected based on the results of psychological, cognitive and physical tests