Protecting the Health and Safety of Civilians in the Future Space Workforce

Abstract

On September 9, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the U.S. Administration's initiative to prepare Americans for the “Future Space Workforce.” Anticipating the creation of thousands of new jobs for average Americans in the space industry in the coming decades, the Vice President emphasized the need for career training in the sciences and technology. The new and evolving space industry will need engineers, manufacturing personnel, physicians, allied health professionals, lab technicians, educators, tourists and hospitality workers, miners, space scientists, and many other categories of workers. And, she added that the future workforce must be diverse and inclusive. But in order for the preparation to be a holistic and effective endeavor, it is essential that we begin now to invest in a robust human research program to protect the health and safety of average civilians in commercial space. We know very little about the impact of the hazards of space on the bodily systems of average civilians, especially those with underlying health problems and disabilities. Before we send civilians into space as workers, we need to reduce the risks by identifying effective countermeasures against space hazards. This article proposes the first step in implementing a Human Research Program for Civilians in Commercial Space.