Keeping humans safe in space was among the discussions when Hobart hosted more than 30 healthcare and aerospace professionals from across Australia for the Humans in Space course.
The course was a three-day event, designed to equip professionals with a deeper understanding of human aeronautics and space flight.
Participants took part in workshops and heard from guest presenters including aerospace medical specialists and international astronauts, including Australia’s first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg.
“As global efforts continue to work towards returning astronauts to the surface of the moon, Hobart plays a key role in developing training protocols for medical emergencies in space,” course co-convenor Dr John Cherry said.
“The Humans in Space course looks at the physiological, medical and psychosociological issues which are unique to space flight and planetary exploration.”
Participants learnt more about:
- The space environment
- Physiological consequences and adaptations of space flight
- The psychology of expeditionary behaviour
- Medical support for deep space exploration
- Novel space suit designs for exploration missions
- Space tourism.
The three-day course is part of the Humans in Space unit, delivered by the University’s Tasmanian School of Medicine in collaboration with the Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ASAM).
The unit is part of the School’s broader course, Health Care in Remote and Extreme Environments.
“This course is unique in Australia and is made possible through our strong Tasmanian relationship with the Antarctic, our partnerships with the Australian Antarctic Division, the Tasmanian Health Service and the Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine,” Dr Ruth Kearon, Head of the Tasmanian School of Medicine, said.
“By working with our partners both within Tasmania and from around the world, we are able to provide training that supports humans in space flight.”
Image: NASA