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Para-astronaut on a mission to open up space

British Paralympic sprinter John McFall undergoes astronaut training.

Paralympian John McFall is working with the European Space Agency on a ground-breaking study to see if it's feasible for someone with a physical disability to live and work in space.

McFall, 43, has joined 16 men and women selected for the first new class of astronauts in 13 years.

His leg was amputated after a motorcycle crash when he was 19. He became a professional athlete and represented the UK at the 2008 Paralympics in China.

He's now one year into his training and has been speaking to 5 Live Breakfast鈥檚 Rachel Burden.

鈥淵ou need to be able to get out of the spacecraft very quickly,鈥 he says, meaning he鈥檒l have to wear a prosthesis under his spacesuit in order to meet the emergency requirements.

This is the first time a space agency has embarked on a project like this.

Speaking to 成人论坛 News, he says he hopes to inspire others and show that "science is for everyone... and potentially space is for everyone".

John hopes there鈥檒l be a flight opportunity for him in the coming years.

This clip is originally from 5 Live Breakfast on May 9th 2024.

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