A new study in the field of space medicine highlights a number of significant contributions from physicians working to advance space exploration, as well as highlighting the unique strengths they bring to the field.
Dr. Farhan M Asrar, a Canadian doctor and internationally known space medicine researcher, has worked with experts and astronauts from various space agencies around the world. He researches human health in space, including space missions, as well as how space technology can be used to innovate health, public health, and the environment on Earth.
One of his most recent studies, ‘From bedside to orbit: the enduring impact of physician-astronauts over six decades of space exploration’, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, looked at the role of medical doctors in advancing space exploration.
According to Dr. Asrar, the work addresses two historical milestones: 61 years since the first doctor-astronaut — a medical doctor who became an astronaut — went into space for Russia, as well as 60 years since NASA first selected doctors as astronauts. Since then, dozens of doctors have become astronauts from all over the world.
This publication highlights how physicians’ skills align naturally with the demands of astronauts. It also presents the world’s first comprehensive database of physician-astronauts, listing all physician-astronauts, past and present, from around the world.
Speaking to Dawn, Asrar discussed his research and provided insight into its significance as a publication, as well as the link between doctors and space research.
According to Asrar, while many astronaut programs from various countries focused their consideration on those from the armed forces — including the first astronauts from Russia and the United States — they have since seen the importance of bringing scientific and other professional expertise to the space field and opening opportunities to others. Other countries have also held open calls, calling on citizens from a variety of professional backgrounds to apply to become astronauts.
When asked where doctors fit into the equation, Asrar said, “Physicians are interested in space for the same reasons they practice medicine: to push boundaries, solve problems, and be prepared for the unexpected.
“Medical doctors make astronauts adaptable because medicine trains them to think scientifically, lead under pressure, and manage uncertainty, which is exactly what spaceflight demands.”
Moreover, as the publication points out, they can be beneficial to space missions because of their scientific and research experience. Their medical training is also an asset.
“Astronaut selection is highly demanding, testing cognitive, physical, operational, and psychological resilience,” the study shows.
“Clinicians are trained to excel in environments characterized by uncertainty, complexity, and high stakes, making these skills directly applicable to space missions.”
He added, “For many physicians, the appeal lies in the ultimate challenge of pushing the limits of human physiology and endurance in extreme environments… Passion for space is often nurtured by a lifelong interest in science, engineering, and the unknown. For physicians, these factors can extend to the forefront of medical research and technological innovation.”
Asrar’s own research explores how space technology can benefit health, public health and the environment on Earth, as well as human health in space and the provision of medical care in space.
“Being a practicing physician has helped me integrate the aerospace and healthcare fields,” he told Dawn. “Because the focus of space travel is looking at deep space missions, this work is motivated by looking at how medical experts can support longer duration space exploration.”
Why This Study Matters
Asrar said the new study “highlights to the medical world the connections and similarities that the space sector has with the medical world, the high speed and high stakes involved in both.”
He also aims to show the medical and health sector what space has to offer the field, he added.
The publication also highlights the significant accomplishments of physician-astronauts, including the prominent records they hold: “This study honors them and their accomplishments with the first repository to document all physician-astronauts from around the world.”
For example, the current world records for longest single spaceflight in space by an American, by a Canadian, by a Russian and overall are all held by doctors, Asrar said. The record holder for the most extra-vehicular activities (EVAs) — or spacewalks — in a single mission by a NASA astronaut, and by a Canadian astronaut is also a medical doctor.
The only astronaut who has flown on all 5 NASA space shuttles is also a doctor, Asrar said. In addition, the world’s first parastronaut (astronaut with a physical disability) was recently selected by the European Space Agency: Dr. John McFall from England, a medical doctor.
“Our publication once again tries to highlight to the medical and health sector the key role they have played in space exploration and to consider exploring opportunities in the space sector. Additionally, it also highlights the important role that doctors play in the space sector, so when countries, including Pakistan, expand their astronaut programs, then they consider opening it up to doctors to apply because history and research have shown the significant role they have played and can play.”
He added that the next step is to look at future space missions, which will involve going deep into space, and how doctors can play a role in this as well.
A follow-up research publication in The Lancet takes Asrar’s original research a step further, looking at how physician-astronauts could play a key role for deep space missions.
Asrar’s research also marks major achievements by women in the space and STEM sectors, and female doctors in particular.
Interestingly, he noted, the first female astronauts from Europe, France, Canada, Japan, Asia, and Austria, and the first female astronauts of color in space were all doctors.
“Even Saudi Arabia’s second female astronaut is a medical doctor,” he added.
The research is also highly international and multi-ethnic; this is by design. Many space initiatives involve multiple countries working together, such as the International Space Station (ISS). Even Pakistan’s upcoming astronaut mission involves cooperation with China, Asrar said.
“It’s clear that space brings us all together,” Asrar said, adding that as project leader and lead author, he wanted to highlight the shared experiences of astronauts around the world by bringing together an international group.
This is the first publication with so many astronaut co-authors (six), also featuring the unique aspects of all of them being physician-astronauts.
Asrar has significant experience working with professionals, experts, astronauts and students from more than 30 countries. Co-authors of the study include astronauts from NASA as well as the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Japanese Space Agency (Jaxa) and the Saudi Space Agency.
“I would tell doctors and health professionals that their skills are very important,” Asrar told Dawn when asked if he had a message to those interested in this field.
He encouraged medical and health professionals to explore opportunities in the space sector: “Even if opportunities to become an astronaut may be limited for now, there are still many clinical aerospace medicine and research opportunities that can still be explored.”
The doctor also called on decision makers and the space agency’s astronaut selection committee to “look at the beneficial role that physician-astronauts have played and … expand your selection pool to consider future medical doctors.”