First “Parastronaut” cleared for Space Mission

February 18, 2025

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For the first time in history, an astronaut with a physical disability has been approved for a future mission to the International Space Station.

The European Space Agency announced on Friday that British surgeon and former Paralympic sprinter John McFall has been medically cleared for long-duration space travel. McFall, who lost his leg in an accident at 19, called the news a proud moment.

McFall hopes his journey will change how people view individuals with disabilities. “This is way bigger than me – this is a cultural shift,” he said during an online press conference. Since his selection as an ESA astronaut in 2022, experts have been studying how someone with a prosthetic leg could work in space.

Though no launch date has been set, the next steps will focus on overcoming any challenges McFall may face in space. ESA officials say he is now like any other astronaut waiting for a mission assignment.

Article written by Milli Banbury

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research, writing, and proofreading.
The te reo Māori version of this article was translated with AI assistance. While care has been taken to keep it accurate, if you spot anything that doesn't read quite right, please let us know

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Learning Options

Recall Questions

Thinking questions

Digital Thinking

At the school fair, Mia helped at the Kiwi Kids stall. The class had made bird feeders from recycled yoghurt containers and string. Children and parents stopped to look, and Mia explained how the feeders could hang in a tree. By lunchtime, nearly all the feeders had sold. Mia felt proud because the stall raised money for the school garden. She hoped the garden would soon have more flowers and native plants for insects and tūī.

Which sentence best tells the main idea of the passage?

The garden would have more flowers and native plants. Mia explained that the feeders could hang in a tree. Parents stopped to look at the school stall. The class sold bird feeders to raise money for the school garden.