Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin The Institute of Aerospace Medicine, together with its Hamburg-based Aviation and Space Psychology division, is part of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne-Porz. Within DLR, the Institute of Aerospace Medicine is the only research center focusing on life science questions with regard to aviation, space flight, and traffic. In the highly technological environment of the future, people will be even more mobile – both on Earth and in space. And they must remain equally healthy and effective in both of these environments. Our Institute of Aerospace Medicine provides for this by developing long-term solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the system of interdependent effects between humans, machines, and the environment. The institute makes important contributions to the medical areas of prevention, individualization and remote care so as to meet the demands people face, both in today’s society and that of the future. Full article

Events 2013

The scientific circle in Cologne (Kölner Wissenschaftsrunde), the association of scientific facilities, universities and institutes as well as enterprises, presents the Year of Space Flight and Aviation 2013 in Cologne with many exciting events on very different topics related to space flight and aviation:
www.koelner-themenjahr.de

From 1st to 5th July 2013 the 26th Planetary Congress “Citizens of Space -- Stewards of Earth” of the Association of Space Explorers will take place in Cologne. The association supports human spaceflight and research in space and on Earth. There will be different events, public and internal lectures in Cologne, Bonn and Aachen as well as all over Germany:
www.ase26.org

July 5th, 2013: Opening of :envihab, the new research facility of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne. :envihab is a modularly designed innovative research facility with unique research capabilities and performance features to study the complex problems presented by a closed life-support system and the interactions between humans and the environment:
www.dlr.de/envihab/ (invitation only)

The 19th IAA Humans in Space Symposium will be held from July 7-12, 2013 in Cologne, Germany: "Linking the challenges of space exploration with medicine on Earth" will be the main topic for the scientists to discuss recent developments of spaceflight medicine:
www.his2013.com

July 8th, 2013: Opening and the award ceremony of The International Humans in Space Youth Art Competition (HISYAC). The current competition invites young people from 10 to18 years of age to submit visual, literary, musical and video artwork expressing their vision of how humans will use science and technology in the future to explore space and uncover its mysteries:
www.humansinspaceart.org

Medical Operations The Medical Operations division of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine works in an interdisciplinary specialist area dealing with the specific requirements of human beings in aviation, space flight, and travel. At the Aeromedical Center (AMC), medical specialists carry out screening examinations to test the suitability and fitness of transport, commercial, and private pilots, air traffic control personnel, cabin crew members, light aircraft pilots, as well as skin and commercial divers. Read more

Biomedical Science Support Center The institute’s biomedical research deals with problems relevant to biology and human physiology. Both internal and external scientists from a wide variety of research and application areas receive support regarding the planning and execution of experiments. Besides its research and development tasks, the division provides scientific and operational support for projects in the areas of human physiology, gravitational biology, and telemedicine. Read more

Flight Physiology The department of Flight Physiology studies the performance, fatigue and work strain of flight personnel, as well as the specific effects of air, road, and rail traffic on the population. The stress factors that are examined include sleep loss, jetlag, atmospheric pressure changes, noise, and vibrations. Research on these factors is carried out both under strictly controlled laboratory conditions and in field studies under real-life conditions, from which recommendations are then derived. Read more

Aviation and Space Psychology When carrying out the selection of operative personnel, the Aviation and Space Psychology division (based in Hamburg) takes into account the high demands placed on aviation and space flight personnel. Scientifically based methods of aptitude diagnostics are first developed, then applied and evaluated in cooperation with airlines, air traffic control institutions, and/or space agencies. Read more

Radiation Biology The Radiation Biology division focuses on relevant aviation and space travel questions with regard to the effects of radiation on humans and the biosphere. The division’s central task is to create the experimental and theoretical conditions necessary to provide effective protection from radiation in aviation and space flight. The insights gained are also increasingly used to solve terrestrial problems. Moreover, the department investigates astrobiological issues with regard to the origin, distribution, and development of life. Read more

Space Physiology In Space Physiology we examine both how astronauts adjust to life conditions in space and readjust to 1g conditions back on Earth. We primarily deal with the impact on human health of such factors as weightlessness, nutrition, and lack of movement in combination with limited space, isolation, and aging processes. Read more