The Multitalent

John McFall is a specialist in trauma and orthopedic surgery, a former Paralympian, and the first astronaut with a physical disability. After a motorcycle accident, his right leg was amputated above the knee when he was 19. Since then, the British native has impressively demonstrated what modern medical technology and rehabilitation can achieve. With a prosthesis from Ottobock, he continued both his academic and athletic career. John studied sports and exercise sciences, later switched to medicine, and specialised in trauma surgery.

John McFall also trained hard to compete in the Paralympic Games. In the category for above-knee amputees, he became one of the fastest men in the world over 100 and 200 meters, winning, among other accolades, the bronze medal in the 100 meters at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. In 2024, McFall was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Paris – a recognition of his outstanding achievements in both sports and science.

On his Instagram profile, John describes himself as: "Husband : Father : Amputee : Paralympic Medalist : Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon : ESA Astronaut Reserve." The 44-year-old multitalent, born in 1981, now lives with his wife and three children in Bonn, home to the German headquarters of the European Space Agency. In 2022, the ESA selected him to explore the feasibility of space missions for people with physical disabilities.

The Mission

The feasibility study “Fly!” investigated, with John McFall as a member of the ESA astronaut reserve, how individuals with lower-limb amputations could be integrated into space missions. The aim was to identify and eliminate barriers for people with disabilities so they could actively participate in long-duration missions to the International Space Station (ISS). With “Fly!”, ESA acknowledges that there are talented and mentally fit individuals who have so far been excluded from spaceflight due to physical limitations. This project marks a major step toward inclusion and diversity in space exploration.

Since his selection in 2022, John has undergone intensive training for a potential mission to space. This included parabolic flights and underwater training to simulate weightlessness. As a former Paralympic athlete and orthopedic surgeon, he brings valuable experience to the table in developing innovative solutions for challenges such as microgravity, fitness requirements, and technological adaptations.

In early 2025, McFall received the medical certification that could allow him to spend several months on the ISS. However, the exact timing of his mission remains uncertain—as with all reserve astronauts, he is awaiting assignment.

The Collaboration

John McFall and Ottobock have worked closely together for about ten years, both in marketing and product development. McFall, for instance, is a test user of the new Genium X4 prosthetic knee joint, designed for highly active individuals, and contributes valuable insights to the product development process. Now, the collaboration with Ottobock’s global development organisation is reaching a new level—a groundbreaking project: a long-term mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

In this context, Ottobock was selected by the European Space Agency in 2023 as the official supplier for specialised prosthetic equipment. The required hardware is subject to the extremely strict safety regulations of the Independent Safety Office, which is responsible for astronaut safety. Each individual component must be certified by the European Safety Review Panel. In this process, ESA safety experts work closely with Ottobock developers, materials specialists, and orthopedic technicians—and, of course, with McFall himself. He is deeply involved in the entire development process and tests his prosthetic equipment under extreme conditions, such as microgravity during parabolic flights, to define the best possible solution for use in space.

Prosthetics in Space

Why does John McFall need a prosthesis in space at all? This question was at the beginning of the project, and the experts quickly agreed: there are numerous situations where a prosthesis is essential. A key aspect is the astronauts’ daily exercise routine on long-duration missions to maintain their physical fitness. The space station is equipped with various fitness devices, including a treadmill with a harness system, a stationary bicycle, and other training equipment.

Additionally, the leg prosthesis fulfills critical safety functions—such as providing stabilization during recoil (e.g., when using a fire extinguisher) or aiding in a quick emergency exit from the rocket before launch.

The experts’ task now is to ensure both the functionality of the prosthesis under extreme conditions and that the prosthetic components themselves pose no risk (e.g., due to flammable or outgassing materials). A detailed risk analysis is conducted for this purpose, and the various components are thoroughly tested in laboratories and during parabolic flights in simulated microgravity.

Parabolic Flights as a Stress Test

These special flight maneuvers will be carried out over three days in mid-May 2025 from a military airbase in Bordeaux, France. During each flight, the aircraft performs about 30 steep climbs and descents. Once the plane reaches the peak of its trajectory, it reduces thrust and enters a controlled descent. During this phase—which lasts about 25 seconds—passengers experience weightlessness as they are in free fall along with the aircraft.

John McFall will be accompanied by Alexander Pappe and Fabian Osswald from Ottobock’s R&D team, as well as Dries Glorieux from the Belgian medical supply company VIGO, who has been responsible for John’s prosthetic care for many years. During the parabolic flights, the team will test, among other things, the functionality of the Genium X4 with a custom programming setup, as well as the suitability of the 3S80 sport knee joint with running blade for use on the specialised treadmill. The necessary sensors and analysis instruments were installed and successfully tested at the Ottobock gait lab in Vienna in early April.

Additionally, John was able to test for the first time the prototype of a 3D-printed cover for his prosthesis. This is intended to be worn inside the space suit—the added protective layer ensures that the suit is not damaged by the prosthesis.

Equipment for Space

The following prosthetic set-up is planned for John McFall’s mission:

• For daily use aboard the space station, including strength training and exercise on the ergometer: a Genium X4 microprocessor-controlled knee joint paired with a Taleo prosthetic foot. The Genium X4 will be specially programmed for use in microgravity. In addition, specific prosthetic settings will be defined that John can quickly access via an app.

• For daily treadmill workouts: the 3S80 sport knee joint combined with a running blade. A newly developed, quieter sole is intended to improve acoustic conditions on board the space station.

• For launch and landing, when electronic components cannot be used, as well as a backup solution: the Dynion (3R85) mechanical knee joint with the Taleo foot.

• To protect both the space suit and the prosthesis: a 3D-printed cover (currently a prototype). John’s sound leg was scanned, and the shape mirrored for the cover. It is printed using a highly flexible material—similar to that used in sports shoe soles.

• For quick changes of prosthetic components: the prosthetic socket is equipped with an ultra-flat quick-change adapter, allowing McFall to easily switch between different knee joints.

The insights gained from this project have the potential to pave the way for future astronauts with physical disabilities—while simultaneously advancing prosthetic technology here on Earth.