Cycling star to become the world’s first ‘parastronaut’
THREE Britons – including the world’s first disabled ‘parastronaut’ – have been chosen for the European Space Agency’s first new squad of astronauts in almost 15 years.
John McFall, Rosemary Coogan and Meganne Christian are among 17 men and women selected from a massive entry of 22,523 applicants.
They now hope to follow in the footsteps of Major Tim Peake, who spent six months on the International Space Station in 2016.
As the first-ever disabled astronaut, Mr McFall, 1, whose right leg is amputated below the knee, hopes to inspire others and show that ‘space is for everyone’ .
The father of three from Surrey, injured in motorcycle accident at 19, learned to run again and became a professional athlete, winning bronze for Team GB in the 100m at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008.
He qualified as a surgeon in 2016 and is currently a trauma and orthopaedic specialist registrar in the south of England.
Being in the new European squad does not guaranteed that Mr McFall will go into orbit, and he will take part of a feasibility programme first.
Miss Coogan, 32, is among five ‘career’ astronauts guaranteed flights if they come through training at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. They will initially fly to the ISS, but could travel to the moon or even further. Six more women, including Miss Christian, 35, are among 11 reservists who could be called up later.
Miss Coogan, from Northern Ireland, a former sea cadet who has two master’s degrees and a doctorate in astronomy, is now the UK’s third-ever astronaut after Major Peake and Helen Sharman. She was ‘incredibly excited’ to be potentially going to the ISS or the moon.
Dr Paul Bate, head of the UK Space Agency, said: ‘I am sure Rosemary, John and Meganne will become heroes for many young people and inspire them to shoot for the stars.’