Space has long represented an inescapable boundary for humanity but is now being tested at a rate never before seen. The recent success of companies like SpaceX and Blue Horizon, coupled with new government investment in deep space exploration proves we’re in the middle of a second golden age of space flight. Throughout all of this, Emergency Medicine trained physicians have been at the forefront of supporting astronauts of all space agencies and the demand is only going to increase.
Current leaders such as Johnny Kim, Anil Menon, and Moriah Thompson represent proof that emergency medicine is a specialty uniquely prepared to handle the incredible difficulties of spaceflight. From decompression illness to space-associated neuro-ocular syndrome and deconditioning, the training in EM and focus on synthesizing real-time data to adapt to situations on the fly make Emergency Medicine physicians ideal candidates for both astronauts and flight surgeons alike. As we move forward in our careers, opportunities are only going to increase and what once seemed like an unattainable path will be very real for those interested. For now though, we are likely limited by the number of training spots to become formal flight surgeons. As demand for trained specialists in Space Medicine has increased, there has actually been a decrease in the number of formal training positions via fellowship or residency. I believe this is very likely to change in the next few years but until then, getting involved early on with professional societies like ASMA or looking for work with formal space agencies will help any interested candidates advance toward a future career in space. For now, keep an eye on new opportunities for students and shoot for the stars (I limited myself to one space pun).
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