Latest news with #TimPeake
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Why do trains get cancelled when there's a heatwave? Experts reveal why extreme heat makes Britain's public transport network grind to a halt
As temperatures across the UK skyrocket, Britain's public transport network has ground to a halt. Rail routes across England, Wales and Scotland are experiencing delays and cancellations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Frustrated travellers have flocked to X to discuss the issues. 'That didn't take long… "Severe weather" has delayed nearly all departures from waterloo,' one user wrote, alongside a photo of the crowds. British astronaut Tim Peake added: 'The mind boggles (as the train crawls its way to London) that we can build a space station that, for nearly 27 years, has coped with temperature fluctuations of +121C in the sun to -157C in the shade, 16 times a day, yet the signalling system on SW Trains flops at +30C.' And one vented: 'Other countries have hotter weather and I'm sure their train service doesn't collapse like these lot.' So, why do trains get cancelled when there's a heatwave? Network Rail has revealed how abnormally high temperatures can cause steel rails across the network to buckle. With temperatures in parts of the UK set to hit 32°C this weekend, we could see parts of the rails start to buckle Britain's railway tracks cover more than 20,000 miles and are made from steel. Most of the network can operate when track temperatures hit up to 46°C, according to Network Rail. This is the equivalent to an air temperature of around 30°C. However, with temperatures in parts of the UK set to hit 32°C this weekend, we could see parts of the rails start to buckle. 'When Britain enjoys a summer heatwave, rails in direct sunshine can be as much as 20°C hotter than air temperature,' Network Rail explained. 'Because rails are made from steel, they expand as they get hotter, and can start to curve. This is known as "buckling".' Network Rail uses remote monitoring systems to keep an eye on its tracks. When the systems detect that a section of track might be expanding too much and heading towards a buckle, Network Rail introduces local speed restrictions. British astronaut Tim Peake added: 'The mind boggles (as the train crawls its way to London ) that we can build a space station that, for nearly 27 years, has coped with temperature fluctuations of +121C in the sun to -157C in the shade, 16 times a day, yet the signalling system on SW Trains flops at +30C' Overhead wires can also overheat Another issue for railway networks amid the heatwave is the risk of overhead wires overheating. Overhead wires give power to trains by conducting electricity through the pantograph – an apparatus mounted on the roof of the train. During heatwaves, the overhead wires can expand and sag, causing the train's pantograph to become entangled in the wires and requiring repairs. 'Slower trains cause lower forces on the track – this reduces the chance of buckling,' it explained. Unfortunately, even with prevention measures in place, rails can buckle. When this happens, the network is forced to close the line and carry out repairs before trains can run again. 'This can disrupt journeys because we often have to wait until the rail temperature has dropped before we can carry out these essential repairs,' it added. Another issue for railway networks amid the heatwave is the risk of overhead wires overheating. Overhead wires give power to trains by conducting electricity through the pantograph – an apparatus mounted on the roof of the train. During heatwaves, the overhead wires can expand and sag, causing the train's pantograph to become entangled in the wires and requiring repairs. Thankfully, much of the ageing overhead wires have been replaced with an auto-tensioned system, similar to those used European countries with more regular heatwaves, such as Italy. 'Modern overhead lines, such as those in place on the lines between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Clacton, Harwich, Braintree, Cambridge and London Liverpool Street, and those installed on the Southend Victoria line, do not sag in high temperatures, avoiding the need for precautionary speed restrictions,' Greater Anglia explained. One of the key ways that networks prevent tracks from overheating is by painting them white. Dr John Easton, an executive panel member of the IET's Railway Technical Network, explained: 'This can reduce the track temperature by 5°C and reduces signalling failures which lead to significant disruption. 'This technique is also used in countries where high temperatures are more commonplace, such as Italy, where engineers often paint the inside faces of the rails white to reflect the sunlight and lower the risk of buckling.' Most tracks across the UK are made of long pieces of rail that are stretched and welded together. 'There is much less chance of buckling in very high temperatures because there is reduced compression,' Network Rail added. 'When a track is made up from short rails bolted together, we leave small gaps between each one so that expansion doesn't cause a problem.' Meanwhile, in some part of Britain's rail network, tracks are laid on reinforced concrete slabs, rather than on sleepers and ballast - a technique often used to prevent buckling in hotter countries. While this also helps to prevent damage, it costs about four times as much to install as standard ballasted track. Worryingly, climate change could increase the frequency and severity of extreme heatwaves, and cause even more chaos for railway networks. 'We work closely with many governmental and specialist organisations to prepare our railway for the climate changes projected over the next few years, decades and beyond,' Network Rail said. WHY DO STORMS AND HOT WEATHER CAUSE DISRUPTION TO TRAINS AND PLANES? HOW HOT WEATHER AFFECTS AIRCRAFT Aircraft components begin to overheat and become damaged in extreme temperatures, with seals softening or melting. If temperatures exceed 47°C (116°F), planes are grounded as some aircraft manufacturers can't guarantee the necessary engine propulsion. HOW STORMS AND HOT WEATHER AFFECT FLYING Aeroplanes fly because the speed of the aircraft causes ambient air to travel over the wings creating lift. When the flow of air is disrupted, the wing loses, or gains, lift. Hot air is less dense than cold air, which means aircraft require more engine power to generate the same thrust and lift as they would in cooler climes. The warmer it gets, the less density there is in the air, which in turn results in less upwind for the wings. Cumulonimus clouds, which occur during thunderstorms, can also be problematic as they are associated with heavy and sudden down pours of rain. These clouds are often caused by periods of very hot weather. Thunderstorms are a challenge for a pilot because there are several dangers like wind shear, turbulence, rain, icing and lightning. HOW HEAT AFFECTS TRAINS Thousands of miles of steel tracks cross the UK, much of which is exposed to sunlight. Tracks in direct sunshine can be as much as 20°C (36°F) hotter than the ambient air temperature according to Network Rail, which manages Britain's railway infrastructure. Heatwaves can cause points failures and signal disturbances, while in some places the tracks have buckled under the heat. As temperature rises, the steel rail absorbs heat and expands, causing it to curve, or buckle. The forces the temperature change provokes pushes and pulls the track out of shape. Buckled tracks need to be repaired before trains can run again, leading to disruption. Overhead lines can also expand and sag in extreme heat, bringing a risk of passing trains pulling them down.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
Space, Tech, And AI: What Astronaut Tim Peake Can Teach Us About The Future Of Humanity
From space-based solar power to AI-guided decision-making, astronaut Tim Peake shares powerful ... More insights into the technologies shaping our world and beyond. When you've spent 6 months orbiting Earth in the International Space Station, your perspective on the planet and its problems is likely to change forever. Few people understand this more intimately than Tim Peake, the British astronaut, test pilot, and ambassador for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, who joined me for a fascinating conversation about space, AI, and the future of life on Earth. What struck me most in our conversation was how clearly Tim connects the dots between space exploration and the challenges we face on Earth, drawing on his remarkable experience and expertise. Whether it's the climate crisis, the energy transition, or the role of AI in decision-making, space is not some distant frontier. It is deeply entangled with our present and our future. Peake vividly describes the emotional and intellectual impact of seeing our planet from above. 'It gives you a fresh appreciation of how isolated and remote the planet is,' he told me. 'A lot of people say fragile. I caution against using that word because I think the Earth's pretty robust. But in terms of being remote and isolated, it makes you realize that this small rock is perfectly designed to support the life that has evolved on it.' And while the view from orbit can feel peaceful and serene, it's also a powerful reminder of just how interconnected and dynamic our ecosystems really are. From wildfires in one region to dust storms in another, the visible signs of global interdependence are unmistakable from space. Peake explained, 'You see wildfires and the smoke spreading across continents. You see sandstorms in the Sahara drifting across Northern Europe. That's because the atmosphere is so thin, so tiny, and you see that very clearly from space.' Beyond the view, Peake is just as excited about what space can do for us back on Earth. Advances in manufacturing, communications, and energy are all being accelerated by what's happening in orbit. One of the most compelling developments he pointed to is space-based manufacturing. In the absence of gravity, new kinds of structures can be created with unprecedented purity and precision. 'For example, we can grow very large protein crystals in space that you can't grow on Earth,' he said. 'That can help pharmaceutical companies create better drugs with fewer side effects and lower dosages. Or if you're trying to print out a human heart, doing that on Earth needs some sort of scaffolding. In space, gravity is not distorting the cellular structure.' He also believes that space-based solar power is not just science fiction. It could soon become a meaningful contributor to our global energy mix. "If we can make two-kilometer square solar arrays that beam energy back to Earth using microwaves, we can reduce the pressure on our grid and use space to help solve the energy crisis,' Peake explained. The falling cost of getting into orbit is a key enabler. As heavy-lift launch costs continue to drop, opportunities that once sounded fantastical, like factories in space or orbital data centers, suddenly look commercially viable. Naturally, we also discussed artificial intelligence. Peake believes that AI has a crucial role to play in helping humanity manage the deluge of data coming from satellites, sensors, and scientific instruments. 'AI can analyze vast amounts of data and make good assumptions from it,' he said. 'If a government is introducing a carbon emission policy in a city, AI can help measure the impact, evaluate the policy, and improve it based on outcomes.' But Peake also emphasized the continued need for human oversight. When it comes to critical decisions, especially in high-stakes environments like space missions or healthcare, humans must remain in the loop. 'If you're screening for breast cancer, for example, AI can assist doctors. But you still want the diagnosis coming from a person,' he said. 'As humans, we like that reassurance. We want someone to put their intelligence on top of the AI's assessment.' In other words, AI is not a replacement for human decision-making but a powerful augmentor, especially in environments where timely action matters. Throughout our conversation, one theme kept coming up: the importance of inspiring the next generation, especially around STEM. For Peake, this is not a side mission; it's central to why he does what he does. 'I try to encourage kids to get involved in STEM, even if they don't see themselves taking it to higher education,' he said. 'The more you know about science and tech today, the more doors it opens for your future.' One initiative doing an outstanding job of sparking that curiosity is the Future Lab at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Peake serves as an ambassador. Curated by Lucy Johnston, the Future Lab showcases cutting-edge innovations from across the globe, from robotic rescue dogs and deep-sea exploration tools to mind-blowing space tech like the James Webb Space Telescope. 'It's hands-on, inspiring, and brilliantly curated,' Peake said. 'You see people of all ages walking around in awe, and that's exactly the kind of experience that can ignite a lifelong passion for science and technology.' Having taken my own son to Future Lab, I can say with certainty that it works. There's something magical about seeing kids light up as they touch, feel, and interact with the technology that's shaping tomorrow. Another eye-opener in our chat was just how much space already affects daily life. 'On average, everyone touches about 42 satellites a day,' Peake said. Whether it's making an online purchase, using navigation, or checking the weather, you're using space infrastructure. And that footprint is only growing. Companies are already working on putting data centers in orbit to reduce energy consumption and cooling requirements on Earth. Communications, navigation, Earth observation, and climate monitoring are all becoming more dependent on space-based assets. But with growth comes risk. Peake is also an ambassador for The Astra Carta, an initiative supported by King Charles aimed at ensuring space is used sustainably. Space debris, orbital traffic, and light pollution are becoming serious issues. 'We need rules of the road for space,' he said. 'If we want to keep using it safely, we need to manage how we operate up there.' As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Tim the big one: Does he believe there's intelligent life out there? "I absolutely do," he said without hesitation. "Statistically, the odds are too strong. When you're in space, and you see 200 billion stars in our galaxy alone, and then remember there are hundreds of billions of galaxies, it's hard to believe we're alone." He also believes that space exploration will help answer some of the biggest questions humanity has ever asked about life, existence, and our place in the universe. But even if we don't find extraterrestrials any time soon, the journey itself has value. Space inspires. It informs. And, increasingly, it enables. That, I think, is what makes Peake's perspective so valuable. He's lived at the intersection of science, technology, and wonder. And he reminds us that the frontier of space is not just about what lies out there but about what it can help us achieve here on Earth.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Dark skies inspired ex-astronaut Tim Peake's space wonder
Former UK astronaut Tim Peake has been describing how his childhood growing up in West Sussex inspired him to travel into space. Peake was the first British astronaut to set foot on the International Space Station and the first to conduct a spacewalk during his six-month mission in 2015 and former Army helicopter pilot stepped down permanently from his role as a European astronaut in 2023, taking up a full-time ambassadorial position for science and space. He told BBC Radio Sussex: "I went to the cadets at Chichester High School and carried on with that adventurous streak which ultimately led me to the army and to space." Speaking about growing up in West Sussex, Peake said: "I had such a very safe, very secure childhood."Living in Westbourne it has quite dark skies and I remember thinking 'I wonder what's out there?'."Mr Peake said he was inspired by his school physics teacher Mike said: "He was amazing. My teachers made their lessons so exciting and as relevant as they could. "That ingrained a passion for science which has never left me." Peake joined the European Space Agency in 2009 after an 18-year career in the was announced in 2024 as part of a team that will launch the first all-British crewed mission into said: "I love the way space has the ability to inspire people."When you get the chance to talk to school kids about how your dreams can become a reality it is always an amazing experience."Everyone looks up at the stars and has that moment of awe and wonder." In his new theatre tour Peake will "share the remarkable stories of some of his fellow astronauts and explore the spectacular evolution of space travel".He said: "Being able to tour the country where I can share just a small taste of what I experienced as an astronaut, reliving my own journey and sharing stories from those groundbreaking moments in space exploration, is absolutely fantastic."I hope the stories I share will give people a special insight into the magic of space and continue to inspire generations of future space explorers."Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space is coming to Guildford, Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells and Worthing in September and October.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Do aliens exist? British astronaut Tim Peake thinks there IS 'complex, intelligent life' beyond Earth - and says we're 'close' to finding it
If aliens exist, surely Tim Peake is one of a select group of humans who have been the closest to them. The British astronaut spent six months in space between 2015 and 2016, living and working on the International Space Station (ISS), 250 miles above Earth. Although he didn't have any extraterrestrial encounters while up there, Major Peake said he thinks aliens most likely do exist. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 53-year-old, from Chichester in Sussex, said Earth is 'actually a pretty small place', relatively speaking. 'When you look at just our own Milky Way galaxy with 200 billion stars, that's one of a number of hundreds of billions of galaxies that we can see,' he told MailOnline. 'So the chances are that there is complex, intelligent life elsewhere in the universe.' In April, scientists revealed that a faraway planet called K2-18b has large quantities of chemicals in its atmosphere that are suggestive of living organisms. Although the findings are to be confirmed, Major Peake said we are likely close to finding the definitive proof that aliens do exist. 'We know that the universe is abundant with water, it's abundant with the seeds of life,' the British spaceman told MailOnline. 'We've discovered so many thousands of exoplanets in our neighbourhood which are orbiting stars, many of which have very good signs of potential habitability with liquid oceans for example. 'Within the next five to 10 years, using the James Webb Space Telescope for example, we could even get to the situation where scientists feel confident enough to be able to say that they found signs of biological life on another planet.' 'It might be small bacteria, it might be algae, giving off some signs of biological processes. 'But that's the kind of thing that we're getting close to be able to say for sure.' During his time on the ISS between December 2015 and June 2016, Major Peake completed the first British spacewalk, took part in 250 research experiments, and even managed to remotely run the London Marathon. On January 15, 2016, he participated in the first spacewalk outside the ISS by a British astronaut with the dazzling blue of the Earth beneath him. The historic event lasted nearly five hours, although it was cut short when American colleague Tim Kopra had water building up in his helmet. During his time on the ISS, he became the first person to complete a spacewalk while sporting a Union flag on his shoulder. Pictured, prior to his spacewalk, January 14, 2016 Nearly a decade later, Major Peake reflects on the experience as 'very surreal' and difficult to put into words'. 'The feeling is a mixture of appreciating how remote and isolated our planet is,' he told MailOnline. 'I hesitate to use the word fragile because actually the planet's pretty robust – it's survived 4 billion years; it's got another 4 billion to go before the sun will cause its demise. 'But what you appreciate from space is not necessarily its fragility but its remoteness and the level of isolation against this vast black backdrop of the universe. 'And it strikes you that that is home – that's the only planet we've got to live on. 'On the one hand it makes you feel fairly small and insignificant but on the other hand it does make you appreciate that we are incredibly special.' Major Peake spoke to MailOnline ahead of this summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed near his native Chichester where he's ambassador of the Future Lab exhibition showcasing the technologies of tomorrow. He's already given the biggest indication yet that he's about to make a spectacular return into orbit after nearly a decade back on Earth. Last year, he was confirmed as 'strategic advisor' for a mission led by US firm Axiom Space to send an all-UK team into space for the first time. The trip will certainly require a seasoned astronaut to act as 'commander' akin to the captain on a ship – with Major Peake the most obvious contender. Although he couldn't confirm whether he would indeed be commander of the mission, he said going to space is still 'always of interest'. 'I'm an astronaut who's fit and able to fly to space and command a mission,' he told MailOnline. 'So absolutely I'm willing and ready to command the mission and fly to space.' Meet the astronauts tipped to fly into space as part of the all-UK mission with Tim Peake Three Britons – including the world's first ever 'parastronaut' – are among the European Space Agency's first new cohort of astronauts in almost 15 years. In November 2022, John McFall, Rosemary Coogan and Meganne Christian were named in a class of 17 men and women chosen from a whopping 22,523 applicants. They will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of current British astronaut Tim Peake, who spent six months on the International Space Station (ISS) almost a decade ago. Here's a closer look at the three adventurers, who may be joined by Major Peake himself on a trip to the ISS. John McFall Britain's John McFall was named as the world's first 'parastronaut' in November 2022 John McFall, 44, is a British father-of-three, surgical trainee and Paralympic medallist. Originally from Frimley in Surrey, Mr McFall had his right leg amputated following a motorcycle accident in Thailand in 2000. He was fitted with a prosthesis and is now working with the European Space Agency (ESA) to investigate how such a disability could affect a stint in space. He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing among other honours, before retiring to take up his medical studies at Cardiff University. He has put his medical career on hold to work with ESA and follow his 'passion for science and life'. Rosemary Coogan Rosemary Coogan, 33, is an astrophysicist originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland. She attended school in Brighton and gained two master's degrees from the University of Durham. One of these focused on physics, mathematics, computer programming and astronomy, and the other on gamma-ray emission from black holes. Coogan moved to the University of Sussex as a doctoral researcher, studying galaxy evolution and the activity of active galactic nuclei. From a young age, she spent several weeks a year away from home onboard military training vessels and land bases as a Cadet Petty Officer with the Sea Cadets from 2002 to 2009. Meganne Christian Meganne Christian, 37, is a materials scientist graduate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. She was born in Pembury in Kent but moved to Australia at a young age and attended Illawarra Grammar School in Wollongong. She said she was inspired to become an astronaut when one visited her school. The materials scientist has worked at the National Research Council of Italy in Bologna and as a researcher at Concordia Station in Antarctica, one of the most remote places on Earth. According to ESA, Meganne received several national awards for outstanding research in the field of engineering and industrial chemistry.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE British astronaut Tim Peake gives his verdict on the Katy Perry space mission - so, do you agree?
It's fair to say the legendary British astronaut Tim Peake knows a thing or two about going to space. The 53-year-old, from Chichester in Sussex, spent six months on the International Space Station (ISS) between December 2015 and June 2016. While there, he completed the first British spacewalk, took part in 250 research experiments, and even managed to remotely run the London Marathon. So Katy Perry's 11-minute space flight, which sparked intense backlash on social media, was always going to look worthless by comparison. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Major Peake said the latest mission organized by Jeff Bezos ' firm Blue Origin didn't have a 'huge amount of benefit'. 'What we do in space should all be about the benefits to society and progressing science, progressing exploration and progressing human knowledge,' he said. 'So I don't see a huge amount of benefit if a mission is not going to achieve at least some of those aims.' Major Peake also revealed an exciting update on the upcoming all-UK space mission. As well as Katy Perry, the Blue Origin mission on April 14 carried Lauren Sanchez (fiancé of Blue Origin boss Jeff Bezos), producer Kerianne Flynn, TV host Gayle King, engineer Aisha Bowe and activist Amanda Nguyen 66.5 miles above Earth. Undoubtedly, Katy Perry – singer of hits such as 'I Kissed a Girl' and 'Roar' – was the most publicised name. But the latter two – Aisha Bowe and activist Amanda Nguyen – were somewhat overlooked by comparison, despite being respected names in the science industry. Major Peake said 'the PR was not handled very well' for the sub-orbital spaceflight, which lasted just lasted 10 minutes and 21 seconds. 'Two of the crew members were incredibly well-renowned STEM ambassadors, one was a Nobel nominee, and very little was mentioned about that,' he said. Blue Origin's elite space programme – so far restricted to the wealthy or well-connected – puts tourists into space briefly and returns them safely to Earth. It's all part of a new industry known as space tourism, where you don't have to be a professional astronaut to enjoy the profound experience that is space travel. If nothing else, these 'space tourism' missions have a part to play in terms of inspiring the next generation, but only if done correctly, Major Peake added. Major Peake spoke to MailOnline ahead of this summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed near his native Chichester where he's ambassador of the Future Lab exhibition showcasing the technologies of tomorrow. The British spaceman also gave the biggest indication yet that he's about to make a spectacular return into orbit after nearly a decade back on Earth. He has already been confirmed as 'strategic advisor' for a mission led by US firm Axiom Space to send an all-UK team into space for the first time. It's unclear whether the role of 'strategic advisor' will include being one of the four UK astronauts making up the team. But the mission will certainly require a seasoned astronaut to act as 'commander' akin to the captain on a ship – with Major Peake the most obvious contender. Accompanying him could be paralympic sprinter John McFall from Surrey and astrophysicist Rosemary Coogan from Belfast. Despite announcing his retirement as a spacefarer back in 2023, Major Peake – whose first job was as a barman at the The Nags Head pub in Chichester – said going to space is still 'always of interest'. 'I'm an astronaut who's fit and able to fly to space and command a mission,' he told MailOnline. 'So absolutely I'm willing and ready to command the mission and fly to space.' It's unclear when the mission will happen, but Major Peake hopes it will be within the next three years. It also hasn't yet been decided if the all-British mission will have the ISS as its destination, although it would be 'an obvious location'. He explained to MailOnline: 'The reason why the crew's not being announced and the reason why I can't officially say whether or not I'm part of the crew is because that forms a process which NASA have to be intimately involved in. 'Ultimately, if you're going to dock to the International Space Station they [NASA] have to approve the commander. 'And so it's not our position in terms of Axiom Space to announce the crew prior to the mission actually having gone through the kind of NASA approval process. 'The first part of that is actually to secure a private astronaut mission to the ISS, so until you've actually secured that mission via NASA you can't announce the crew.' When he blasted off to the ISS, Peake became the first officially British spaceman, although he was not the first Briton in space. It was back in 1991 when Sheffield-born chemist Helen Sharman not only became the first British spacewoman, but the first British person in space. Peake said he would never forget his 'exhilarating' first walk in space as he posted a cheeky space selfie of the historic feat, showing the camera reflected in his helmet Before both Sharman and Peake had been into space, other UK-born men had done so through NASA's space programme, thanks to acquiring US citizenship. But Sharman and Peake are considered the first 'official' British people in space as they were both representing their country of birth. Major Peake also became the first astronaut funded by the British government. During his time on the ISS, he ran the London marathon and became the first person to complete a spacewalk while sporting a Union flag on his shoulder. Upon returning to Earth in June 2016, Major Peake said he was looking forward to pizza and a cold beer. Meet the astronauts tipped to fly into space as part of the all-UK mission with Tim Peake Three Britons – including the world's first ever 'parastronaut' – are among the European Space Agency's first new cohort of astronauts in almost 15 years. In November 2022, John McFall, Rosemary Coogan and Meganne Christian were named in a class of 17 men and women chosen from a whopping 22,523 applicants. They will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of current British astronaut Tim Peake, who spent six months on the International Space Station (ISS) almost a decade ago. Here's a closer look at the three adventurers, who may be joined by Major Peake himself on a trip to the ISS. John McFall Britain's John McFall was named as the world's first 'parastronaut' in November 2022 John McFall, 44, is a British father-of-three, surgical trainee and Paralympic medallist. Originally from Frimley in Surrey, Mr McFall had his right leg amputated following a motorcycle accident in Thailand in 2000. He was fitted with a prosthesis and is now working with the European Space Agency (ESA) to investigate how such a disability could affect a stint in space. He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing among other honours, before retiring to take up his medical studies at Cardiff University. He has put his medical career on hold to work with ESA and follow his 'passion for science and life'. Rosemary Coogan Rosemary Coogan, 33, is an astrophysicist originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland. She attended school in Brighton and gained two master's degrees from the University of Durham. One of these focused on physics, mathematics, computer programming and astronomy, and the other on gamma-ray emission from black holes. Coogan moved to the University of Sussex as a doctoral researcher, studying galaxy evolution and the activity of active galactic nuclei. From a young age, she spent several weeks a year away from home onboard military training vessels and land bases as a Cadet Petty Officer with the Sea Cadets from 2002 to 2009. Meganne Christian Meganne Christian, 37, is a materials scientist graduate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. She was born in Pembury in Kent but moved to Australia at a young age and attended Illawarra Grammar School in Wollongong. She said she was inspired to become an astronaut when one visited her school. The materials scientist has worked at the National Research Council of Italy in Bologna and as a researcher at Concordia Station in Antarctica, one of the most remote places on Earth. According to ESA, Meganne received several national awards for outstanding research in the field of engineering and industrial chemistry. In addition to British and Italian citizenship, she also holds Australian and New Zealand citizenship.
