Building a Space-faring Civilization: Advancing the Renaissance of Science, Medicine and Human Performance in Civilian Spaceflight

Building a Space-Faring Civilization: Advancing the Renaissance of Science, Medicine, and Human Performance in Civilian Spaceflight explores an expanding, unique new trajectory for humankind―the settlement of space by civilians. For the first time in history, average humans can contemplate journeys to Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars with the idea of space settlement as a plausible reality. As the numbers of spacefaring civilians grow, medical personnel will be asked to meet their complex needs through an ever-expanding discipline―space medicine. But this will require a rapidly advancing science to address what some are calling the next great age in space.

This book gathers some of the most accomplished thought leaders in the field of human spaceflight today. Collectively, they helped build the international space station (ISS), develop the field of orbital medicine, guide the development of commercial orbital platforms, plan missions to the Moon and Mars, and forge the innovation necessary for the commercial spaceflight industry to thrive today. The result is an exceptional source of wisdom, experience, and insight surrounding the current biomedical, technical, industrial, legal, and social implications of what is emerging as a true renaissance period in human history.

• Describes the lessons learned from past explorers from the Renaissance to the present, and how they can guide space exploration today
• Characterizes the risks encountered in the exploration and settlement of different domains of space
• Surveys the types of medical incidents civilian space travelers are likely to encounter, based on professional astronaut reports
• Summarizes the types of biomedical assessment civilian space travelers will require in order to ready themselves for the dangers of space
• Explores the types of preparation, training, and medical countermeasures needed to live and work in space

Dr. Michael A. Schmidt is the CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Sovaris Aerospace. He is a leader in precision medicine applied to humans operating in extreme environments on Earth and in space. Dr. Schmidt has three decades of experience working with elite performers in extreme environments including astronauts, military Special Forces, NFL, NBA, Olympic athletes, military aviators, and others. This includes his early research within NASA’s Human Systems Integration Division. Dr. Schmidt is the President of the Human Research Program for Civilian Spaceflight and is the former President of the Life Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Branch (LSBEB) of the Aerospace Medical Association. His molecular work in space is highlighted in a special 2024 issue of Nature entitled, “Space Omics.” His recent innovations include the Astronaut Digital Twin. Dr. Schmidt is the 2019 winner of the Research & Development Innovation Award from the Life Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Branch of the Aerospace Medical Association. He is the 2020 recipient of the Marie Marving Award for Excellence in Aerospace Medicine from the Aerospace Medical Association.

Marianne Legato, MD, PhD (hon c), Emerita Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University and founder of the Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine, is an internationally known academic physician, author, lecturer, and specialist in gender-specific medicine. She was a charter member of the Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health of the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health. She has published extensively on gender- and sex-specific medicine both for the scientific and for the lay public. The third edition of her textbook, Principles of Gender-Specific Medicine, and her most recent book, The Plasticity of Sex, both won Prose Awards from the American Association of Editors in 2021 and 2022, respectively.