What is Space Medicine
Over the past few years, India has set a benchmark at a global level, and one of the reasons is the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), one of the world’s largest and most successful space agencies. Due to the increasing demand of this sector at a global level many students are choosing career prospects in the field of space medicine.
Though the field of space medicine has been a part of ISRO for decades, it is now being highlighted as a preferred career choice amongst students, after multiple achievements by the organisation.
SM (Space Medicine) is a field that certifies the safety, health, and performance of aeronauts under extreme and hazardous environments. Space medicine doctors largely adhere to space workers and spaceflight participants. Their major focus is developing alleviation techniques contributing to the overall success of space programs.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Space Medicine
To be eligible for admission for a space medicine course, participants must clear the following criteria according to their respective courses.
For Undergraduate courses - Sadly, there are no courses available at the undergraduate level in India. The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) is the only institute of its kind in South Asia for conducting courses in Aerospace Medicine, but they are a Doctor of Medicine level (MD).
For Postgraduate courses (India)–
Candidates must have completed an MBBS course from an Indian recognised university with a minimum aggregate score of 55%
To be able to attend counselling, students are required to achieve a minimum of 50% in NEET PG.
Students belonging to the Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/ OBC category need to score a minimum of 40% (including PWD of SC/ST/OBC) whereas 45 percentile for (UR PWD) in NEET PG.
Candidates must have completed an MBBS degree or provisional MBBS pass certificate.
Completion of at least a one-year internship after the MBBS course.
Space Medicine Entrance Exams
National Level Medical Entrance Examination (NEET PG)- It is a common entrance exam for admission to Medical Post-graduate courses like MD/MS/Diploma across India. For admission in the master’s program in aerospace medicine, participants must give a national level medical entrance examination (NEET). The exam is conducted in January via an online medium.
MCAT- MCAT is one of the world’s most prominent medical entrance examinations taken by students applying for courses outside India. It is a year-round exam with multiple subject papers. Unfortunately, it’s not available in India; candidates need to fly to their nearest location to attend it.
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Scope of Space Medicine in India and Abroad
When it comes to recruitment, there are not many job prospects in India other than the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) as space medicine is still an emerging field and it would widen in scope over the years. However, there are a lot of scopes abroad; the major recruitments are done by the private companies that provide a slightly different job profile.
These multinational companies are involved in making aerospace medicine and other required products. The average salary package in space medicine can range from Rs. 10-20 lakhs per annum.
Other than a good salary package, candidates are also exposed to many yearly conferences to enhance their experience and learning abilities. The practice of Aerospace Medicine could be envisaged in the following broad categories -
a) Military Aerospace Medicine
b) Operational Aerospace Medicine
c) Clinical Aerospace Medicine
d) Civil Aerospace Medicine
e) Space Medicine
f) Interplanetary & Space station Aerospace Medicine
g) Emergency Aerospace Medicine
h) Aerospace Medicine Research & Development
i) Geriatric Aerospace Medicine & Gerontological aspects of aerospace workers
j) Industrial Aerospace Medicine
Course Subjects
The training program in space medicine course is of 3 years duration and is divided into 6 semesters. The semester subjects educate students and prepare them for future career prospects in space medicine. The list of the subjects is given below –
- Aeronautics
- Applied Physics, NVG Training and Biodynamics
- Medical electronics, Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation
- Biostatistics and Research Methodology
- General Physiology including Biochemistry
- High Altitude Physiology and Hyperbaric Medicine
- Acceleration and Vestibular Physiology
- Human Engineering
- The practice of Aviation Medicine in the field
- Civil Aviation Medicine
- Preventive and Social Medicine
- Medicine
- Aviation Ophthalmology
- Aviation Otorhinolaryngology
- Aviation Otorhinolaryngology
- Aviation Psychology
- Aviation Pathology
- Radiology
Careers in Space Medicine
The field of space medicine is very vast, with many applications in not just space agencies but consecutively many other agencies. And due to that, there are dozens of sectors proving jobs in prospects of space medicine courses. The list of careers in various employment areas after completion of space medicine degree consists of
- Military and Civilian Aviation
- Radiation health
- Flight Medicine
- Flight Familiarisation
- Hypobaric and Hyperbaric Therapy
- Space medicine: Basic Flight Surgeon Training
- Airline Medical clinic
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Elective subjects such as travel medicine, administration
Upcoming trends
Along with the increasing craze about space explorations, the space medicine industry is booming due to programs like mars mission, satellite launches, space station, etc. all over the globe. As the industry is mainly dependent on the government for funding, it still has funding sources all over the world and recent examples being the launch of 104 satellites of various countries like the USA, Israel, Switzerland, etc.
There are multiple new technologies created based on space medicine like –
- Development of tiny medical equipment
- Digital imaging from the Hubble telescope
- Medical applications like fibre-optic angioplasty
- Various simulation techniques
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
While choosing a course, it is important to take a look at the job and career aspects of a particular course. The field of space medicine is still very new and unexplored by people, so it is relevant to check out all the job profiles before applying for any course.
Every MNC desires a candidate who brings about new ideas to the table and has an appetite for creation. The industry is divided into many fragments depending upon the type of course.
Companies provide a variety of jobs and work branches, but the main factor is to identify a job profile suitable for the space medicine course. Some of the most common job profile in space medicine available throughout the globe includes –
Job Profile | Job Description |
Aerospace Medicine Physician
| The job of an aerospace medicine physician involves making strategies to increase safety, comfort, and easy transportation of flight crew and passengers. |
Operational flight surgeon | An operational flight surgeon maintains the strict medical standard required by the military and those who are involved in flight. The use of aviation medicine is required in the field. |
Shipping and Receiving Associate
| The shipping and receiving associated keep track of the shipping of spare parts required for the space programs. They ensure safe transportation and do quality checks of the parts received |
Senior Research Engineer
| A senior research engineer’s work is to come up with ideas and models required for the outer space objects. The technicalities are handled. |
Manufacturing Engineer | A manufacturing Engineer deals with the manufacturing of the machinery models at a ground level. He/she ensures that there is no physical error in the making of machinery. |
The role of an Aerospace engineer is to build prototypes and models for various space programs in consideration of all the factors of outer space. | |
The job profile includes mainly coding and computer work required for the programming of space models and various other instruments essential for the space projects. |
Space Medicine Top Recruiters
When it comes to hiring in space medicine, there are many government and non- government agencies for students to choose from. They need to be aware of their options when they choose their career path. Here’s a list of some of the world’s most renowned organisation that hire space medicine candidates –
- NASA
- ISRO
- Indian Defence Services
- Sterling Med
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Research and development companies
Average Salary
Job Profile | Annual Income (in Rs.) |
Aerospace Medicine Physician | Rs. 8-9 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Operational flight surgeon | Rs. 12 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Shipping and Receiving Associate | Rs. 5-6 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Senior Research Engineer | Rs. 10-11 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Manufacturing Engineer | Rs. 5-7 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Aerospace Engineer | Rs. 5-6 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Senior Software Engineer | Rs. 17 – 18 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Required Skillset for Space Medicine
Knowing about the required skills for a particular job profile can be very beneficial and also increase the chances of selection. It also shows how fitting someone is according to the job profile. Some of the vital skills regarding space medicine are –
Interpersonal and communication skills- as explaining preventive health aspects and increasing awareness of aeromedical concerns easily and understandably is an integral part of the job.
Leadership – The candidates should be able to get the best out of their team in a congenial working environment.
Professionalism – demonstrating work-friendly practices and good ethical principles maintains the integrity of the profession.
Course Curriculum for Space Medicine
The curriculum designed for MD in space medicine training program to create professionals that can deal effectively with the community needs and are competent enough related to their speciality along with the recent advances.
The curriculum of space medicine combines the aspects of occupational, preventive, clinical and environmental medicine with the physiology and psychology of man in space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What are the major career domains after MD in space medicine?
Answer :
The space medicine field is interconnected with many other sectors. Some of the most common career domains include military aerospace medicine, research and development, industrial aerospace medicine, operational medicine, and emergency space medicine.
Question: Can an MBBS graduate join NASA?
Answer :
MBBS graduates can opt for an MD in Aerospace Medicine to apply for opportunities to work with NASA.
Question: What is the duration of MD aviation medicine?
Answer :
MD aviation is a course that comes under the field of aerospace medicine. It is offered as a 2-year course for MBBS graduates to excel in the field of aerospace and flight medicine.
Question: Can Medical doctors apply for NASA?
Answer :
Yes, there is a requirement for specialised medical doctors who are proficient in aviation and aerospace medicine. And can also tackle medical emergencies of a space environment faced by the crew and passengers.
Question: What is aerospace/space medicine?
Answer :
It is an elaborate field that focuses on preventive and occupational medicine and correlates with providing medical treatment and taking care of medical emergencies in a space environment.
Questions related to Space Medicine
which group to take 11th for space medicine
Hello,
Aviation Medicine , a medical science which mixes aspects of preventive, occupational, environmental and clinical medicine with the physiology and psychology of man on the wing . it's concerned with the health and safety of these who fly, crew and passengers, also because the selection and performance of these who hold aviation licenses. Institute of aeromedicine Indian Air Force Bangalore, Karnataka offers this course at PG level. it's affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (http://www.rguhs.ac.in/) . The qualifications required are MBBS with minimum 55 per cent marks and registration with the State Medical Council.
So if you want to enter the field one has to complete their MBBS.And you can take PCMB course.Since you want a career in space medicine this is better option .Good to see your choice of career.
https://www.careers360.com/courses/space-medicine-course
Hope it helps
All the best!!
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