The University of Central Florida (UCF) is expanding its space medicine program to train students in healthcare for astronauts during missions. Dr. Manny Urquieta, the founder of UCF’s division of aerospace medicine, highlights the growing importance of this field, which began in the 1960s with human spaceflight.
Urquieta, who joined UCF after serving as chief medical officer at the Johnson Space Center, is spearheading the establishment of a master’s degree and residency program in space medicine. These initiatives aim to prepare future physicians to care for astronauts and pilots.
Students in the program will conduct health checks for astronauts prior to missions, help select new astronauts, and support their training. They will also provide medical care via telemedicine while astronauts are in space or even accompany them on missions. Additionally, trained physicians will assist with astronaut recovery after missions.
