The University of Central Florida (UCF) is expanding its space medicine program to prepare students for providing healthcare to astronauts during missions. Dr. Manny Urquieta, who previously served as chief medical officer at the Johnson Space Center, is leading efforts to establish a master’s degree and residency program focused on space medicine.
Urquieta emphasized that space medicine is a relatively new field, starting back in the 1960s with the first human spaceflights. The new program will include astronaut health checks, assistance in selecting and training new astronauts, and ongoing care during missions, including telemedicine support. Physicians trained through this program will also help in astronaut recovery post-mission.
