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USSPACECOM hosts third iteration of Space Medicine Forum

  • Published
  • U.S. Space Command
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --  

U.S. Space Command’s Surgeon General’s office hosted more than 40 medical professionals in-person and virtually from 17 government and civilian organizations during its third Annual Joint Space Medicine Forum April 24-26, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Space Medicine Forum was initiated to bolster the command’s medical capabilities in support of ground and sea-based space operations, as well as, the Human Space Flight Support program, where medical professionals must ensure they can supply the medical support required for rescue and recovery operations of human spaceflight.

“USSPACECOM acknowledges the profound significance of human space flight and human space exploration and is committed to providing the necessary support to enable our astronauts to reach new heights allowing humankind to go where it has never gone before,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Tracy Hines, USSPACECOM Global Operations deputy director.

USSPACECOM works to establish practices and proper procedures to ensure correct medical treatment to our space warfighters by collaborating with partners from National Aeronautics and Space Administration and many other agencies and organizations.

“Sharing knowledge of current and future operations between Space Medicine professionals helps to educate our medical providers to better care for our current and future space operators,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Kelly Dorenkott, USSPACECOM surgeon general.

by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Philip Wagner, Jr

USSPACECOM Hosts third iteration of Space Medicine Forum

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Tracy Hines U.S. Space Command Global Operations deputy director, speaks to attendees of the Third Annual Space Medical Forum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 24, 2024. The Joint Space Medicine Forum hosted more than 40 medical professionals in person and virtually from 17 government and civilian organizations to discuss current operations and training to ensure space medicine provides the best care for the Human Space Flight Support program and our space operators. USSPACECOM, working with Allies and Partners, plans, executes, and integrates military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression, defend national interests, and when necessary, defeat threats.
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by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Philip Wagner, Jr

USSPACECOM Hosts third iteration of Space Medicine Forum

U.S. Air Force Col. Kelly Dorenkott, U.S. Space Command surgeon general, welcomes attendees to the Third Annual Space Medical Forum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 24, 2024. The Joint Space Medicine Forum hosted more than 40 medical professionals in person and virtually from 17 government and civilian organizations to discuss current operations and training to ensure space medicine provides the best care for the Human Space Flight Support program and our space operators. USSPACECOM, working with Allies and Partners, plans, executes, and integrates military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression, defend national interests, and when necessary, defeat threats.
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Space medicine is required to ensure the mission is a success and is a vital component to manned space operations.

“I believe that space medicine is crucial,” said Dr. Vincent Michaud, National Aeronautics and Space Administration deputy chief health and medical officer. “You can’t put a person on a rocket and have success. You must think ahead of time; it is a full spectrum of human integration that must occur.”

USSPACECOM developed their own course designed for military members who support the command’s HSFS mission. With the expertise of our medical colleagues at First Air Force, Detachment 3 and the assistance of USSPACECOM/J7, the course took six months of collaboration and is now published on the Joint Knowledge Online platform.

"USSPACECOM partnered with Air Force Space Detachment III to develop the first Space Medicine 101 online course,” said Brent Maney, DoD HSFS Medical Plans/Programs. “Additionally, we have mission specific training for tasked teams where we dive into medical protocols and medical mission planning.”

As the future of space travel and exploration continues to be written, so does the growth of space medicine and key partnerships. Advancements in education and training of space medicine professionals continues to ensure that operators are fully prepared for the mission.