2023-12-04 18:57:00
Selected at the same time as the Belgian, Raphaël Liégeois, to be part of the new ESA promotion, John McFall is the first astronaut with a disability. But he might never visit space because of his prosthesis.
At the age of 19, John McFall lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. But the young man did not let himself be defeated and even won a bronze medal at the Beijing Games in 2008 in the 100m. But this time, the prosthesis he wears might well compromise his dreams. The Telegraph explains that it is made with carbon fibers, resin and foam made with polymers. However, these materials might poison the ISS crew.
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“These materials will continue to off-gas to a certain extent and in an environment like the ISS, where air is constantly recirculated, any significant amount of gas from these materials will amplify over time since they will not be filtered,” John explains to our British colleagues.
One solution considered by the ESA is for John to do without his prosthesis, given the absence of gravity. But the tests were inconclusive. John maintains better balance with his prosthesis, an important element in the event of an emergency evacuation.
Another problematic aspect is the muscle loss experienced by astronauts while on missions. Over 6 months, they lose 20 to 30% of their muscle mass. John’s prosthesis may therefore no longer be suitable.
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