In July 2025, a cohort of medics, astronauts, engineers, and explorers touched down in Durham for a course like no other.
Founded by World Extreme Medicine’s Mark Hannaford, the Space Medicine Course has evolved over four iterations to become one of the world’s leading training events in this field. The 2025 edition marked the first collaboration with Durham University, hosted at Durham University Business School in response to an invitation from Nikita Chiu. Co-convened by Mark and Nikita, the course brought together a global cohort of medics, astronauts, engineers, and explorers for three intense days of insight, connection, and frontier thinking, from emergency care in microgravity to inclusive astronaut selection.
More than a course, this was a community-in-the-making.
2025 Highlights
Real insights from spacefarers
Led by astronaut and physician Mike Barratt, the course gave participants rare, candid access to one of the most experienced space medicine voices in the world. Sessions with Mike and guest faculty brought hard-earned wisdom from inside the ISS, mixed with grounded, practical tools for applying that learning on Earth.
Faculty also included input from commercial astronaut Shawna Pandya (Virgin Galactic), ESA flight surgeon Maybritt Kuypers, and former JAXA astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, whose diverse perspectives pushed the conversation beyond borders and into the future.
“It was incredibly inspiring to learn from someone who’s actually lived and worked in space. I left rethinking everything I thought I knew about remote medicine.” – Attendee
Global community, real connection
With participants from over 22 countries – including Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Japan, Nigeria, Romania, and New Zealand – the atmosphere felt more like a mini-UN than a course.
From WhatsApp lift-shares to Beamish, to balcony beers at the Boat Club, delegates built bonds as quickly as they absorbed theory. There was even an impromptu spreadsheet floating around for those keen to keep in touch.
“I don’t always find it easy to be social, but everyone was so welcoming and approachable, it made a huge difference.” – Attendee
Learning that lands
The course balanced cutting-edge content (like managing inflight emergencies and physiological adaptations in orbit) with practical discussions around spacecraft habitability, psychological resilience, and gender-based health risks.
“The content hit the sweet spot between technical depth and human storytelling.” – Attendee
“It’s never too late to learn a new skill. This course gave me direction again.” – Attendee
The Unexpected Moments
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A WEM faculty shirt and patch that had orbited Earth 3,776 times aboard the ISS
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A WEM T-shirt signed by the entire current ISS mission crew
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Midnight chats about ISS archaeology and inclusive astronautics
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The now-legendary “Durham Ducks practising microG CPR” spotted outside the lecture hall
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Space cider, rain-soaked pub crawls, and a GC group chat that honestly deserves its own conference track
“I’ve never been in the company of such a highly qualified, interesting and intelligent group of people. From ER nurses to CCPs, surgeons, engineers and astronauts, it was amazing.” – Attendee
A Dinner to Remember
A huge thank you to Saint Chad’s College and its Principal Margaret Masson, alongside Durham University Vice-Chancellor Karen O’Brien, for hosting a truly memorable College dinner. It was a moment of reflection, gratitude, and connection, reinforcing just how far the field of space medicine has come, and where it’s headed next.
So… What’s Next?
Originally planned as a biennial event, the feedback was clear: Space Medicine needs to happen every year.
Mike Barratt has already confirmed his return for 2026, and we’re responding to delegate feedback by expanding to a four-day edition, with deeper dives, more breakout sessions, and more time for reflection and networking.
Want First Dibs on 2026?
We’re currently locking in the next venue and dates. If you’d like early access to book your place before general release, drop your name on the priority list below.
Sign up for priority access to Space Medicine 2026
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s course so extraordinary – from our global delegates and guest speakers, to our hosts at Durham. Until next time, see you in orbit.
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