The University of Colorado (CU) and STAR HARBOR will be collaborating on an initiative aimed at meeting the need for space personnel while advancing the burgeoning field of space medicine, the leaders of both organizations recently announced.
The effort will draw on the expertise of two CU campuses. CU Boulder has long been a leader in aerospace engineering and space science. One of the nation’s premier academic medical centers, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus is developing a state-of-the-art space medicine program focused on medicine and biology in extreme environments. Faculty and students from the CU programs will work alongside scientists and researchers on STAR HARBOR’s campus in Lone Tree, which is developing space training alongside its research and development initiatives.
STAR HARBOR and the CU System will work together to increase interest in learning, discovery and innovation, and will provide critical infrastructure to augment that used by university researchers. STAR HARBOR and CU will engage the next generation of space innovators with a joint space medicine program, undergraduate internship and residency opportunities, and commercial space research and development programs. The collaboration will foster the next generation of space skills, human resource development and education.
“This collaboration builds on strengths CU has developed over decades since the early days of the US space program.” – CU President Todd Saliman
“We are proud to partner with the University of Colorado to build a diverse space workforce of the future,” said Maraia Tanner, Founder and CEO of STAR HARBOR. “Our campus offers students and residents the opportunity to learn about space in a dynamic and inspiring new environment. STAR HARBOR will partner with local students through research opportunities, staff development programs that promote diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and a space medicine program unique to STAR HARBOR’s training campus.”
CU President Todd Saliman said the partnership leverages the university’s historic commitment to space and strengths in the field. CU Boulder has one of the leading aerospace engineering programs in the country and is the best-funded public university in terms of NASA research spending. Across all locations, CU has 20 alumni astronauts ranging from the early Mercury missions to recent activities on the International Space Station.
“This collaboration builds on the strengths that CU has developed over decades since the early days of the US space program,” said Saliman. “Between the aspects of staff development and the space medicine program, the University and STAR HARBOR will be able to make important advances and advancements in these areas that are critical to the future of space exploration and discovery.”
Photo above: CU Anschutz students practice space medicine during a 2019 training session with CU Boulder members at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah.
