Astronaut physicians

[Samiamm]

---

Members don't see this ad.

My 2 dream jobs mixed in one, how hard do you guys think this would be. I don't know much about becoming an astronaut for mission payload specialists, other than the physical requirements. Plus, with tickets to space being sold now, and longer missions being planned, do you think space medicine could become a speciality?

 

[487806]

If you're really good with physics, math, advanced engineering (aerospace, fluids, aeronautical etc.) and medicine (good luck with that combination), go for it.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

You have to gamble with serving in the military, and then become one of the maybe 2 people in the country to get into a NASA Flight Surgeon fellowship. It's a lot of luck.

Or we can give NASA more money, which I'm up for, but that's not going to happen anytime soon.

 

[Eiot]

My mind just got blown.

 

[FSU2013]

See: Norman Thagard

 

[Samiamm]

You have to gamble with serving in the military, and then become one of the maybe 2 people in the country to get into a NASA Flight Surgeon fellowship. It's a lot of luck.

Or we can give NASA more money, which I'm up for, but that's not going to happen anytime soon.

I thought you only had to mess with the military if you were a mission pilot/commander. They need to have 1000 hours of jet flight experience, which is mainly only doable in the military. I would have no problem going into the military, but I don't want to be a mission pilot/commander. I've looked at reqs. for astronauts numerous times, but I can never get a clear answer on what's really required. The best I ever get would be parallel to a premed finding out he needs a good GPA and high MCAT to get into med school, which doesn't really tell you EVERYTHING.

 

[Samiamm]

@Eiot
Lol I know just thinking about it is exciting!!

 

[Irish Football]

OP, for this you need a LizzyM score of 94.

 

[Samiamm]

Norman Thagard
1961: Graduated from Paxon Senior High School, Jacksonville, Florida
1965: Received a bachelor of science degree in engineering science from Florida State University
1966: Received a master of science degrees in engineering science from Florida State University
Performed pre-med course work at Florida State University
1977: Received a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas
2007: Received a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Florida.

I read a little bit of his wiki, this guy was amazing

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I thought you only had to mess with the military if you were a mission pilot/commander. They need to have 1000 hours of jet flight experience, which is mainly only doable in the military. I would have no problem going into the military, but I don't want to be a mission pilot/commander. I've looked at reqs. for astronauts numerous times, but I can never get a clear answer on what's really required. The best I ever get would be parallel to a premed finding out he needs a good GPA and high MCAT to get into med school, which doesn't really tell you EVERYTHING.

Okay maybe primary care at the International Space Station. But for surgery you most likely have to be an Earth Flight Surgeon first, which would be US Air Force and that requires discipline.

Plus you gotta know space (unless NASA is just making this one up):

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/son/energy/educators/F_Flight_Surgeon_prt.htm

Flight Surgeon

Problem: Determine the risks from solar storms to the shuttle, International Space Station and crews, and make recommendations that would ensure the safety of the shuttle, space station and crew members. The flight surgeon for the space station must know the risks to crewmembers' health. The flight surgeon must also know their current health, and how to maintain their health. Will solar storms be a risk to the crew? To make good recommendations to protect crew you must understand the risks of solar storms.

 

[RagOptUz]

Are we really talking about this??

Sent from my LG-P999 using SDN Mobile

 

[Samiamm]

Are we really talking about this??

Sent from my LG-P999 using SDN Mobile

Yeah why'd you post if you didn't want to?? **********<<< you can guess what that says

 

[mmmcdowe]

My 2 dream jobs mixed in one, how hard do you guys think this would be. I don't know much about becoming an astronaut for mission payload specialists, other than the physical requirements. Plus, with tickets to space being sold now, and longer missions being planned, do you think space medicine could become a speciality?

Are you short?

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Yeah why'd you post if you didn't want to?? **********<<< you can guess what that says

Agreed. Stop hatin', space is cool.

 

[Barcu]

http://www.asma.org/about-asma/careers/aerospace-medicine/residency-programs-related-courses

Looks like civilian may be a better route to go than military if you are interested in NASA in particular. They seem to be a bit more targeted.

The military is probably a safer bet if you are interested in flight medicine though because they will always have lots of jobs, though I hear doing FAA physicals can be quite lucrative. In the military you also get some flying experience.

The one thing you have to realize about these types of programs though is that they fall under preventative health (especially the military ones). Yes, they want you to fly, but you are also responsible for many things on top of that in terms of occupational health too, which could involve lots of non-flying stuff.

Bottom line, you may be a doc for astronauts or pilots, and you may get some cool experiences with it. But you aren't going to be an astronaut or pilot yourself.

 

[Samiamm]

Are you short?

No 6,1 thank god, but even someone over 5 ft can become an astronaut

 

[Samiamm]

Found this in the military medicine forum on here (for anyone else that's interested)


If thats what you really want, and are dedicated to getting there, then the most accepted path, is...

Finish college with good enough grades, and MCAT's to get picked up by any medical school.

Then Join the Navy HPSP and pray that you match to the Residency in Aerospace Medicine (RAM) essentially board certified flight surgeon, but really a Preventive medicine residency.

Than apply for the space door gunner program...

Lots of chances that you won't make the cut along the way, and many of them are more based on what happens to be open in the Navy at the particular time that your up for orders, more than how much effort you put into it. Another way to put it, is that you can work as hard as you want, and if the stars don't line up, you don't get what you want.

At this point, it bears mentioning, that two of the astronauts on the Columbia when it burned in over Texas were Navy Physicians.

David M. Brown
Captain, U.S. Navy
Mission Specialist


Laurel Blair Salton Clark
Commander (Captain-Select), U.S. Navy
Mission Specialist

Note also, that Brown was 46 and Salton Clark was 41 so don't expect to just jump into the space program early in your career.

Good luck but don't do military medicine unless theres something that you like about it besides space, because your chances of making it into space are fairly low.


If you are flight qualifed, consider becoming a military pilot-physician. Get an engineering/pre-med degree while being commissioned through ROTC. Go to Military Pilot Training, do your time as high performance military aircraft pilot including a stint as a test pilot if possible, then separate, go to medical school and then apply to NASA to join the astronaut corps.

 

[Samiamm]

I guess you were right shenanigans, military would be the way to go

 

[Doctor Strange]

This is the best thread ever.

Sent from my LT28at using SDN Mobile

 

[Samiamm]

Wow, I just found this,

http://astronauts.nasa.gov/

for anyone else that is interested, just scroll down a bit

But the second part of my question is still up for debate

 

[mmmcdowe]

No 6,1 thank god, but even someone over 5 ft can become an astronaut

True, the maximum height is around 6 2 or 6 3, but most that actually go into space are short.

 

[greatnt249]

See: Norman Thagard

While you're at it, Story Musgrave has a crapload of credentials as well.

Joined USMC in 1953.

1958--BS in mathematics/statistics
1959--MBA in operations analysis and computer programming
1960--BA in chemistry
1964--MD with eventual credentialing in aerospace medicine and physiology
1966--MS in physiology and biophysics
1987--MA in literature

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

OP, don't become an astronaut doctor if you want to go into space. They always get stuck on the ship while the rest of the crew has all the fun exploring the surface, getting into fights, and banging aliens. Your only reward is getting killed by some crazy alien parasite or plague that one of the ******s tracks back onto the ship with him.

Honestly, even a PhD in astrobiology would be better since at least then you get to be part of the expedition party. The only downside to that is you have to deal with the 92% mortality rate since for some reason space scientists seem to be magnets for alien aggression and freak disasters.

 

[Thego2guy]

As a kid, I always wanted to join the military (probably has something to do with my crazy Russian communistic mother), I was always extremely fascinated by astronomy, and I always wanted to become a neurosurgeon.

If I didn't have a desire to build a family and watch my kids grow up, and keep my sanity... I would be damn proud to say that I am a military neurosurgeon astronaut.

 

[mmmmd]

I'd get my hopes up for something awesome like this, BUT I have poor vision so good luck space cadets 😉

 

[dmf2682]

I'd be lying if I said this never crossed my mind, but who knows what could happen? Reckon I've the engineering and aerospace creds to get there, all I need are better eyes and that damned MD degree!

 

[lovesfall]

I was at a presentation last year on space medicine - it was really interesting. The guy giving it was a former astronaut/researcher/MD. Space stuff seems iffy right now due to budget but with some of the private companies taking interest there might be some potential down the road?

 

[Norkick13]

I am glad i found this post. Medicine and space also fascinates me....

 

[William Hart]

I volunteered at an Airshow and worked with a physician/astronaut who had recently graduated from the 20th astronaut class. I was an EMT at the time and it was pretty neat hearing a little about it. The physician got flight training and got to fly around in the nasa trainer jets. http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/ascans2009.html There were two physicians in that class. One IM/aerospace med board certified and the other EM/aerospace med board certified.

3500 apps for 9 spots. Only 330 astronauts ever trained. Pretty stiff competition but it is possible

 

[ragnarokx]

This is the best thread ever.

Sent from my LT28at using SDN Mobile

+1
I imagine even expressing an interest in "space medicine" would look good to admissions committees.

Sent from my Nexus 7

 

[487806]

I am glad i found this post. Medicine and space also fascinates me....

Imagine finding a cure for some alien disease... Instant nobel prize!