A new study in the field of space medicine highlights the significant contributions of physicians to the advancement of space exploration, emphasizing the unique strengths they bring.

Titled ‘From bedside to orbit: the enduring impact of physician-astronauts over six decades of space exploration’ and published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, the study examines the role of medical doctors in advancing space exploration.

Led by Dr Farhan M. Asrar, a Canadian physician and space medicine researcher, along with co-authors from NASA, the European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), and Saudi Space Agency, the study explores human health in space, including deep-space missions, and how space technology can drive innovations in healthcare, public health, and environmental sustainability on Earth.

According to Dr Asrar, the research marks two milestones: 61 years since the first physician-astronaut flew for Russia, and 60 years since NASA first selected physicians as astronauts. Since then, dozens of physicians worldwide have joined astronaut corps.

Doctors make adaptable astronauts as they are trained to think scientifically, lead under pressure, and manage uncertainty, says Dr Asrar

The study shows that physicians’ skills align closely with astronaut requirements and introduces the first comprehensive global database of physician-astronauts.

Speaking to Dawn, Asrar discussed his research and provided insight into its significance as a publication, as well as the intersection between physicians and space research.

How their skillsets collide

While many countries’ astronaut programmes focus 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 into the field of space and opened the opportunity to others, according to him. Other countries have also done open calls, calling citizens from various professional backgrounds to apply to be astronauts.

Asked where physicians slotted into the equation, Dr Asrar said, “Physicians are drawn to space for the same reason they practice medicine: to push boundaries, solve problems, and be ready for the unexpected.

“Medical doctors make adaptable astronauts because medicine trains them to think scientifically, lead under pressure, and manage uncertainty, which exactly what spaceflight demands.”

Additionally, as the publication shows, they can be beneficial to space missions due to their scientific and research experience. Their medical training is also an asset. “Astronaut selection is famously demanding, testing cognitive, physical, operational and psychological resilience,” the study points out.

“Physicians are trained to excel in environments characterised by uncertainty, complexity and high stakes, making these skills directly applicable to space missions.”

It adds, “For many physicians, the attraction lies in the ultimate challenge of pushing the boundaries of human physiology and endurance in an extreme environment … The passion towards space is often nurtured by a lifelong fascination with science, engineering and the unknown. For physicians, these factors can be expanded to the frontiers 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 the health of humans in space and the provision of medical care in space.

“Being a practicing physician has helped me integrate the fields of space and health,” he told Dawn. “As the focus of space travel is looking at deep-space missions, this work was motivated by seeing how medical experts can support longer-duration space exploration.”

Why the study matters

Dr Asrar said that the new study “highlights to the medical world the connections and similarities that the space sector has to the medical world, the high pace and high stakes involved in both”.

It also aims to show the medical and health sector what space has to offer to the field, he added.

Speaking to Dawn, he said physicians are drawn to space for the same reasons they pursue medicine: solving problems, pushing boundaries, and managing uncertainty. Their training in scientific thinking, leadership under pressure, and decision-making makes them well-suited for spaceflight.

Physicians also contribute through research expertise and clinical skills, which are valuable in high-risk, unpredictable environments like space missions.

Dr Asrar’s work further examines how space technologies can improve healthcare systems on Earth and support medical care during long-duration missions. He noted that the shift toward deep-space exploration increases the need for medical expertise onboard.

The study highlights the strong parallels between medicine and the space sector, both involve fast-paced, high-stakes decision-making, and aims to encourage greater collaboration between the two fields.

It documents major achievements by physician-astronauts, including records for long-duration spaceflights and spacewalks, as well as participation in multiple missions. It also notes milestones such as the selection of the first parastronaut, Dr John McFall.

The research underscores the contributions of women, noting that several pioneering female astronauts across regions, including Europe, Canada, and Asia, were physicians.

It also emphasises the international nature of space exploration, with collaborations across multiple countries and agencies, including partnerships relevant to Pakistan’s future missions.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2026