2023-12-03 16:03:34
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SPACE – He is expected to become the world’s first “paraastronaut” to go into space. John McFall, 42, was selected in November 2022 to be part of the new promotion of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Just like Sophie Adenot, the Frenchwoman who will succeed Thomas Pesquet, John McFall aims to go to the International Space Station (ISS). But his chances could be compromised because of his prosthesis, as you can see in our video at the top of the article.
Possible poisoning of the crew
The Briton lost his right leg at the age of 19 in a motorcycle accident. But this did not prevent him from having a career as a Paralympic sprinter and he even won the bronze medal at the Beijing Games in 2008 in the 100 meters event.
Since November 2022, space has been its new focus. But as he will also be the world’s first parastronaut, he must carry out a whole battery of tests for the ESA to ensure the feasibility of a mission for a person with a disability.
It was during one of these tests that scientists realized that the biggest problem with a mission to the ISS might be the prosthesis itself. Indeed, as reported The Telegraphit is composed of carbon fibers, resin and foam made with polymers, materials which could prove toxic to the crew in space.
“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 »explains John McFall to the British newspaper.
Do without the prosthesis?
The ESA initially thought that the parastronaut could do without his prosthesis in the station, due to the lack of gravity. But tests carried out showed that John McFall still kept a better balance with it. However, it is important that astronauts can move and evacuate quickly in the event of an emergency.
The other aspect to consider is the effect of microgravity on the body. Indeed, astronauts must regularly do sports to maintain the muscles of the body which are less used since they float in the cabin. Missions on the ISS last on average 6 months during which astronauts lose 20 to 30% of their muscle mass. We must therefore ensure that John McFall’s prosthesis is still suitable, even with muscle loss.
The ESA must therefore still carry out tests to verify that everything will go well for the paraastronaut if he goes on a mission. The agency has until the end of 2025 to draw up an assessment, which must then be presented to European ministers. It is the latter who will have the final word and decide whether or not to finance the mission.
Also see on Le HuffPost :
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