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What is Aerospace Medicine?

by Kyle Wu
written by Kyle Wu

Aerospace medicine is at the peak of both our innovative engineering and our physiology skills. It is a small and specialized field of science that is dedicated to understanding and improving the health and safety of those who fly in space and other challenging flight conditions.

This field of science was first created in the 1900s by Paul Bert by observing the effects of air pressure on pilots and balloonists during the two world wars. Aerospace medicine took its real first steps in the late 1900s however, when aviation got much better and pilots went higher and faster into the skies. Medical conditions began to form, like hypoxia (lack of oxygen), decompression sickness, and altitude 

sickness. As the space age began, humans began to venture outside the Earth’s atmosphere. This further necessitated the use of aerospace medicine, with effects such as radiation, isolation, and other hazards beginning to make their appearance. 

Much to one’s surprise, aerospace medicine does not just consist of pilots’ and astronauts’ physical condition. Lots of this field consists of their psychological factors as well. Aviation safety and efficiency can fluctuate dramatically with factors such as fatigue, anxiety, and workload. It can also change with the pilots’ own skills, like decision making and situational awareness.

To conclude, aerospace medicine is a pinnacle of engineering and biology. This field that is specialized in ensuring the safety of those who navigate the skies and space will continue to evolve as we look into the future. Looking ahead, the future of aerospace medicine is filled with lots of possibilities. Advancements in artificial intelligence to make decisions, telemedicine that is personalized for genetic profiles, and collaborations with other sciences are only a few ideas that will shape the future of this field.

Sources:

https://www.emra.org/emresident/article/aerospace-medicine/

https://www.asma.org/about-asma/careers/aerospace-medicine

https://www.britannica.com/science/aerospace-medicine

 

Images:

https://cdn.britannica.com/84/131984-050-FE5C6229/Michael-A-Baker-Steven-L-Smith-STS-68-September-1994.jpg

https://cdn.visitcaymanislands.com/media/isdhf/bios/caymanisland-bert.webp?ext=.webp

https://www.dlr.de/me/en/Portaldata/25/Resources/images/cardiovaskulaere_luft_und_raumfahrtmedizin

/Kardiovaskulaere_Luft_und_Raumfahrtmedizin_Bild5_Kollage_595x337.jpg



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