Astrodocs at work
As astronauts, physicians have made contributions to space exploration, conducting dozens of spacewalks and experiments, including work on how space affects the human body. Since 1973, 23 U.S. physician-astronauts have taken part in 49 space missions, and, through their research, have helped further medicine back on Earth. In a 2002 mission, astronaut David Wolf, MD, went on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. Crew members of the space shuttle Atlantis installed a 28,000-pound starboard truss to the station. "Spacewalks are the epitome of space flight for me," said Dr. Wolf, who dreamed as a child of rocketing to space.
Photos © NASA