As we continue human space exploration, much more research is needed to prevent and/or mitigate the medical, psychological and biomedical challenges spacefarers face. The International Space Station provides an excellent laboratory in which to conduct such research. It is essential that the station be used to its fullest potential via cooperative studies and the sharing of equipment and instruments between the international partners. The application of the lessons learned from long-duration human spaceflight and analog research environments will not only lead to advances in technology and greater knowledge to protect future space travelers, but will also enhance life on Earth.
The 14th annual International Space Medicine Summit, held virtually on October 29-30 and November 6, 2020, brought together the leading physicians, space biomedical scientists, engineers, astronauts, cosmonauts and educators from the world’s spacefaring nations for high-level discussions to identify necessary space medicine research goals as well as ways to further enhance international cooperation and collaborative research. All ISS partners were represented at the summit.
The summit was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Space Policy Program, Texas A&M University College of Engineering and Baylor College of Medicine.
