Space for ALL Project: October meeting recap

October marked another significant milestone as Glyn from our campaigns team attended the next Space for ALL project in person to advance their mission of making space travel accessible to people with disabilities.

The highlight of the meeting was an update from John McFall’s team. McFall, the first disabled astronaut in training, is making remarkable progress. It is widely anticipated that he will complete his training in a few months and be deemed competent to embark on a six month space mission. The team shared fascinating insights into how they have managed to balance the spacecraft, considering McFall’s lighter prosthetic leg and enable him to use the exercise equipment to minimise muscle loss. All this information helps to steer the project as to where the difficulties might arise in the future and the questions we will need to answer in due course.

In the afternoon session, the focus shifted to future research directions. A key area identified was the need to collaborate with aeronautic manufacturers to improve the inclusivity of their designs. For instance, having duel foot controls and hand controls could not only enable individuals with lower limb impairments to operate the controls but also serve as a backup system. This collaboration is essential to ensure that spacecraft can accommodate a diverse range of physical abilities.

Additionally, the team heard from two individuals who have undergone astronaut selection. Their experiences provided valuable insights into the rigorous testing process and highlighted yet more additional questions that need to be addressed to make space truly accessible for all.

The Space for ALL project continues to break new ground, driven by a commitment to inclusivity and innovation. As the project pushes forward, the collaboration between engineers, researchers, and aspiring astronauts promises to pave the way for a future where space is within reach for everyone, regardless of physical ability.