Going into space with a prosthesis? Tests on astronauts’ artificial legs

Can a disabled British astronaut travel to the International Space Station with a prosthesis? The European Space Agency ESA should check this. At issue is whether John McFall’s artificial leg does not emit toxic gases, even over a longer period of time, as the British newspaper Telegraph reported on Saturday.

The Paralympic athlete was selected by Esa a year ago for the newly created position of ‘parastronaut’ – as an astronaut with a physical disability. Whether the 42-year-old will actually be allowed to fly into space also depends on the research, which is expected to be completed in 2025. McFall lost his right leg after an accident when he was 19.

“These are things you don’t necessarily think about,” McFall told the Telegraph. “The base is made of carbon fiber and has some kind of high-density foam on the inside. The carbon fiber base is impregnated with a resin. The foam is made of polymers.”

The fact that these materials emit gases to some extent can be risky in a closed circuit like the ISS. Because on the space station the air is constantly recycled and the gases cannot be filtered out. (sda/dpa)