John McFall, 43, is a member of the European Space Agency’s astronaut corps and is now waiting to be assigned a mission after a feasibility study concluded there were no technical or medical reasons why he should not fly.
He said the feasibility study, known as Fly!, ensured Esa was able to secure signoff from international partners working at the ISS, which included the US and Russia.
By the end of last year, Esa concluded it was technically feasible, and McFall has been given the highest level medical certification for a long duration mission, which would typically last up to six months.
He said: “John is today certified as an astronaut who can fly on a long duration mission on the International Space Station.
A British Paralympic sprinter and surgeon has become the first person with a physical disability to be cleared to fly to the International Space Station in a landmark for human space exploration.
