Phases of Fly!

Phase 0: Foundation

2020: ESA announces a flight opportunity for an astronaut with a physical disability. ESA assesses various types of disabilities compatible with a long-duration mission on the International Space Station as a fully integrated crew member. This evaluation identified short stature, leg length discrepancy, and lower limb deficiency below the knee as conditions to take into account. 

2021: ESA becomes the first space agency in the world to include a vacancy notice for an astronaut with a physical disability in their astronaut selection.​ 

2021-2022: In collaboration with NASA, ESA conducts a high-level assessment of the three types of disabilities outlined in the vacancy notice to identify any potential limitations for successful astronaut activities. This evaluation found no a priori showstoppers for any of the three disabilities across all operational phases. Among them, short stature was identified as the case with the highest potential need for hardware modifications. 

Phase 1: The Feasibility Study

November 2022: John McFall is selected as part of the ESA’s 2022 Astronaut Reserve class. His selection initiated the Feasibility Study phase of Fly!, focusing on the unique requirements and considerations associated with his physical disability. 

2022-2024: The Feasibility Study team conducts an in-depth assessment across five key domains, based on initial broad assumptions, to evaluate the requirements for John McFall’s potential role as a fully integrated crew member on a long-duration mission.  

1. Training. Compliance with ESA Astronaut Basic Training requirements, including sea and winter survival, as well as any specific training John might need if selected for a flight.  
2. Spacecraft operations. Analysis of each phase of the flight —pre-launch, ascent, free flight, and landing—to ensure John could meet emergency procedure requirements both on Earth and in microgravity.  
3. Space Station operations. Emergency and safety protocols on the station, along with John’s ability to navigate and stabilise himself effectively in microgravity.  
4. Medical. Assessment of John’s capability to carry out exercise countermeasures in orbit and manage changes in his stump volume that could affect prosthetic fit and comfort.  
5. Crew support. Needs such as quarantine facilities or mission-specific clothing. This systematic review analysed around 80 specific considerations, forming the foundation of the Feasibility Study. 

Results of the Feasibility Study

Concluded in January 2025, the findings of Fly! Feasibility Study strongly support the fact that astronauts with the specified disability (unilateral lower-limb amputations, no more proximal than the distal third of the femur, or equivalent unilateral lower limb deficiency) could safely train, participate in, and return from long-duration missions to the ISS as fully integrated crew member, emphasising that inclusion in space exploration is achievable without imposing significant financial or operational burdens.

This marks the start of the next stage of Fly!, Mission Ready, an essential step to carry out the first long duration mission for an astronaut with a physical disability. 

The achievements of the Feasibility Study establish ESA as a frontrunner in inclusivity and diversity for space exploration.

Phase 2: Mission Ready

The work done needs to translate into the first long duration spaceflight of a project astronaut with physical disability. 

Through the Fly! initiative, ESA continues to push the boundaries of inclusivity in space exploration. Our goal is to ensure that the work we are doing not only advances space missions but also creates a lasting, positive impact on society. ​ 

Mission Ready, the latest phase of the Fly! project, was launched in January 2025 and focuses on three main areas:

• The scientific domain to pre-identify potential experiments and studies which could be implemented should a mission be confirmed.
• Achieving certification of the prosthetic hardware up to the ESA Safety Review Panel Phase 2.
• Ensuring that John will get his medical certification and will be considered as able to fly on a long duration mission.