About us

Aerospace medicine is a research-intensive, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary field that not only reflects the frontier of human mobility but is increasingly influencing all areas of medicine through its methods and findings. With recent technological breakthroughs in orbital transport capacity and cost efficiency, as well as the new space stations in low Earth orbit, economists anticipate a revolution in industrial utilization of this domain within a few years—medical processes and products are expected to be among the first key applications (Space Economy Report, World Economic Forum, 2024).

At the same time, the demand for applied clinical research in aviation has grown significantly due to the emergence of ever more advanced and powerful systems. Aerospace medicine is rapidly evolving into a cross-disciplinary medical field, where insights and innovations developed for aerospace are increasingly transferred to terrestrial medical applications.

2018 - Founding of the UZH Space Hub
The University of Zurich (UZH) began positioning itself in the space sector as early as 2018 through the founding of the UZH Space Hub. With its strategic focus on Earth Observation, Space Life Sciences and Aerospace Medicine, Astrophysics, and Aviation (including Autonomous Flying and Green Aviation), the Space Hub has gained national and international visibility, success, and recognition. The Canton of Zurich has also recognized the strong global momentum in orbital spaceflight and, in 2024, named “Space” as one of its three flagship innovation initiatives (RRB No. 372/2024).

2024 - Establishment of the the Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein
In December 2024, the establishment of the Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein marked a new era of collaboration, connecting the aerospace sectors of the University of St. Gallen, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Swiss Air Force, the Swiss SkyLab Foundation, and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Additionally, both the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) and the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) have designated the development of aerospace medicine as a matter of national interest.

2024 - Founding of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the UZH
On December 12, 2024, the University Council of the University of Zurich approved the creation of the Institute for Aerospace Medicine and the transformation of Professor Oliver Ullrich’s Chair of Anatomy into a Chair of Aerospace Medicine. Given the strategic importance of civil aviation, there is a strong need in Switzerland to maintain and further develop aeromedical expertise. FOCA and the Aeromedical Institute of the Swiss Air Force (FAI) are pursuing the establishment of a domestic training pathway for flight surgeons and have strongly welcomed the founding of the Institute for Aerospace Medicine. The strategic objective of both FAI and the DDPS is to establish aerospace medicine as a university-level discipline, ensuring a future generation of aviation medical and psychological specialists. In terms of service delivery, FOCA has also identified the national need for a clinical Aeromedical Center (AMC), to be developed and operated jointly with the FAI within the civil sector, alongside AME (Aeromedical Examiner) training programs.
Research at the Institute for Aerospace Medicine is deeply embedded within relevant ESA and NASA programs. A broad Space Act Agreement with NASA enables extensive collaboration in the field of Space Life Sciences. In the use of aviation platforms for biomedical research, a long-standing and successful partnership has existed between the Chair and the Swiss Air Force since 2008.

Institue for Aerospace Medicine:  a core center of expertise and experience
The Institute for Aerospace Medicine is intended to serve as a core center of expertise and experience, acting as an academic bridge between the rapid developments in space and aviation and the medical sciences. It aims to reinforce the growth of the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, contribute to Switzerland’s national responsibilities in the aerospace sector, and—together with FOCA and FAI—position Switzerland as a strong international player in the field of aerospace medicine.

Pictures: Regina Sablotny / NASA / Regina Sablotny