British orthopedic surgeon and Paralympic champion John McFall may go down in history as the first person with a physical disability, that will fly into Earth orbit. This was made possible thanks to a new agreement between the UK government and the American aerospace company Vast. McFall's mission, which is currently included in the reserve of astronauts of the European Space Agency, can happen already in 2027 year, невдовзі після запуску комерційної станції Haven-1.
Каліфорнійський стартап Vast нині перебуває на фінальній стадії будівництва апарата. The size of the station is slightly smaller than a single-decker bus, however, it can comfortably accommodate four astronauts. A two-week scientific project is planned as part of the mission. The main focus of John McFall's research will be aimed at studying the impact of the space environment on his body and the operation of a modern prosthesis. Because such devices rely on complex systems of sensors and microprocessors, their behavior in microgravity conditions is of great interest. Test results can become a real revolution in medicine on Earth. They will give an impetus to the creation of lighter and more adaptive prostheses, and will also help scientists to better understand the processes of muscle atrophy and the development of osteoporosis. All this opens the way to the latest rehabilitation programs for people, who underwent amputation.
Expected, що екіпаж вирушить до станції Haven-1 на борту капсули Crew Dragon, яку виведе на орбіту ракета-носій Falcon 9 від компанії SpaceX. Британське космічне агентство, згідно з меморандумом, допомагатиме компанії Vast у пошуку спонсорів для фінансування цього історичного польоту. Альтернативним сценарієм для Джона Макфолла може стати приватна місія на Міжнародну космічну станцію наступного року.
Source: https://universemagazine.com