UK Government and Vast Sign Agreement to Fly ESA Parastronaut John McFall to Haven-1
Summary: The UK government and California-based commercial space station company Vast signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 2, 2026, aiming to fund a research mission for ESA reserve astronaut John McFall aboard Vast's Haven-1 space station. McFall, 45, is an NHS surgeon who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident at age 19 and won a bronze medal in the 100-meter dash at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Selected as part of ESA's astronaut corps in 2022, he is a core member of ESA's "Fly!" feasibility study for astronauts with physical disabilities. If realized, he would become the first person with a physical disability to live in an orbital space station.
Background
Vast is developing a series of low Earth orbit commercial outposts called Haven, with Haven-1 set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as early as 2027. The UK Space Agency stated in a June 2 announcement that the MOU is not a flight guarantee but rather "will see the UK Space Agency support Vast to secure sponsorships to fund a spaceflight for John."
McFall said in the announcement: "If we can make this mission happen, it won't just be a milestone for human spaceflight; it will send a powerful message about what people with disabilities are capable of, and that there should be no limit to what you can achieve."
Scientific Significance
The UK government statement noted that research findings from McFall's mission "could have significant benefits for disabled people here on Earth, such as the design of lighter, more adaptable prosthetics." The research could also "deepen our understanding of conditions like osteoporosis or muscle wastage that affect many disabled people and provide new insights into rehabilitation techniques for amputees."
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: "The UK is committed to being at the forefront of inclusive human spaceflight. This builds on the groundbreaking work John has already done and opens the door to a genuine flight opportunity."
Vast's International Partnerships
Vast recently signed another international agreement: a two-mission deal with the French government to fly one French astronaut to the ISS and another to Haven-1.