Half a century after its first symposium on space medicine, the Air Force is preparing to train future space surgeons.

As U.S. space interests focus more on defense, medical airmen must learn to treat personnel deployed in the unique conditions of space.

Spacecraft and habitats are noisy, cramped, isolated areas under unique conditions of oxygen, pressure and radiation, where gravity can range from near-weightlessness to crushing gee-forces.

Maintaining fitness and fighting fatigue are key concerns in space, where personnel undergo physical changes like weight and bone loss, and must remain highly vigilant at all times.

It remains unclear how Air Force space medics will interact with the NASA's personnel currently in charge of astronaut health.