T-Minus Space Daily – "Weighing the Future of Space Exploration"
Date: January 10, 2026
Host: Maria Varmazes, N2K Networks
Guest: Charles “Chuck” Dorn, COO of SOLOMED
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the future of space exploration with a special focus on the intersection of space medicine, technology, and ethics. Maria Varmazes interviews Charles Dorn, a veteran of NASA and current COO of SOLOMED, to discuss the technological advancements shaping human spaceflight, the inevitable ethical quandaries of settling other worlds, and SOLOMED’s efforts to provide unified standards and thought leadership for commercial space ventures.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Personal Journey and NASA Experience (03:04–05:16)
- Chuck Dorn’s Background:
Dorn recounts childhood visits to the Kennedy Space Center, inspiring his lifelong dream of working at NASA, which he fulfilled as a medical educator and administrator for 33 years.- “I always find myself in a unique position of being in working with physicians, both MDs and doctors of osteopathic medicine, learning about medicine and spaceflight…” (03:35, C)
- Accomplishments:
Dorn contributed to NASA's telemedicine strategy, was editor-in-chief of the Telemedicine Guild Journal, and traveled extensively to support global space medicine initiatives.
2. Evolution of Space Medicine & Telemedicine (05:16–08:16)
- Importance of Telemedicine:
Dorn underscores telemedicine as a crucial development for both Earth-based and space healthcare.- Reference to advances stemming from the smartphone revolution (2007) and NASA’s legacy of remotely monitoring astronauts and even Laika the dog (Sputnik 2).
- “Now NASA’s been monitoring its astronauts since the early 60s…The Soviet Union, when they launched Sputnik 2, had Laika…they were able to monitor her from space remotely.” (06:43, C)
- Future Potential:
Technologies like avatars, AI, and advanced robotics could further revolutionize space medicine and remote surgery.
3. Enabling Technologies & Their Promise (08:16–11:26)
- Robotic Surgery in Space:
Dorn references NASA’s experiments with da Vinci and ZEUS robots and the NEEMO undersea missions, noting initial skepticism about in-space surgery but acknowledging its inevitability for long-term settlements.- “If we assume…we will one day send human beings to live and stay On Mars…there’s going to have to be things like surgical intervention.” (09:12, C)
- Challenges of Long-term Habitation:
Contemplating the logistics of medicine, childbirth, food, and pharmaceuticals on Mars or the Moon.
4. Gaps and Obstacles to Mars Settlement (11:26–14:09)
- Technological Shortcomings:
Dorn points out existing technology gaps, from propulsion (current 6–8 month Mars trips) to the inability to physically examine patients remotely.- “You’re certainly not going to be able to palpate someone’s abdomen without new technology.” (12:27, C)
- Cites an early telemedicine glove experiment as an example of promising, yet not fully realized, tools.
5. Ethical Frontiers in Space Exploration (14:09–16:33; 18:39–22:39)
- SOLOMED’s Role:
SOLOMED plans roundtables with bioethicists to tackle core questions:- Who should be allowed to fly to space?
- Should participants follow rules like enforced birth control or prophylactic surgeries?
- What rituals or laws should govern death and burial in space?
- How do commercial space players standardize medical/ethical requirements?
- “What if…certain religions…require certain rituals before burial? What do you do with a deceased crew member?” (15:14, C)
- Comparison to Airlines & NASA:
Unlike airlines, where passengers have few restrictions, space may require more stringent vetting and protocols.
6. Standards, Regulation & Responsibility (18:39–25:16)
- Development of Standards:
NASA’s medical guidelines, originally internal, evolved during the shuttle program and ISS partnership. The Artemis Accords now attempt to set global norms.- “Remember, the ISS program is really the very first…international consortium…then led us to the Artemis Accords which really looks at how do we protect the people in space, how do we protect space itself.” (19:50, C)
- Commercial Space Challenges:
As more private companies participate, who is responsible for mishaps? How do you build consensus on best practices for training, safety, and medical preparation?
7. Rethinking Astronauts & The Notion of Space Settlement (22:39–26:06)
- Defining “Astronaut”:
Current standards (e.g., crossing the Kármán line) are questioned—brief suborbital flights vs. true exploration.- “If you pass over that…you’re an astronaut, but you’re only up there 10 minutes…that wasn’t really research.” (22:42, C)
- Societal Dimensions:
From cemeteries and crematoriums to building real communities, space settlements entail all the trappings of Earth society.- “If you have a settlement…do we have a cemetery? Do we have a crematorium?...you have to create a sense of society.” (20:38, C)
8. The Role of SOLOMED: Knowledge Consolidation and Outreach (26:06–30:25)
- SOLOMED’s Three Pillars:
- Concepts of operation (standards/practices)
- Education (summits, events)
- Space medicine education (training, outreach)
- “We have…probably only outside of NASA, probably the largest conglomeration of individuals with experience…former flight surgeons, you have former astronauts…a lot of momentum.” (21:25, C)
- Industry-wide Consensus:
SOLOMED seeks unified criteria across all space organizations, helping commercial companies align with proven, safety-centric frameworks.
9. Technology, Innovation & Interdisciplinary Collaboration (26:06–32:24)
- Historical Parallels:
Dorn draws comparisons between past technological revolutions (aviation, lightbulb, the PDA) and current/future leaps in space capabilities.- “You have the ability now to create things…developing faster, better, cheaper…launch a rocket and land the rocket back on a platform in the middle of the water.” (28:29, C)
- Environmental Concerns:
Rapid commercialization means real-world impacts, such as spaceport proliferation and ecological footprints. - The Need for Global Collaboration:
True space settlement and off-world living require worldwide investment, collective action, and tapping the knowledge of global academic institutions.- “Not just the United States…has to be the entire world.” (32:09, C)
Memorable Quotes
-
On Telemedicine Advances:
“Here we are at the end of the first quarter of the 21st century and we have the ability to reach out and talk to one another remotely…on the top of Mount Everest, on… the moon."
— Chuck Dorn (06:57) -
On Ethics in Space:
“Should we say to you as a female who's going to go to Mars for three years, you must be on birth control so you can't get pregnant? … What do you do with a deceased crew member?”
— Chuck Dorn (15:09) -
On the Societal Needs of Space Settlements:
“You have to create a sense of society, right? … in the Antarctic…they bring them back because you don’t want to pollute the environment. But how do you bring, you know, I mean, maybe there’s a death star or something...”
— Chuck Dorn (20:45) -
On Young Generations and the Future:
“The most important part…is that space is inherently dangerous. However, it's the frontier where job opportunities are going to be created for those young boys and girls who are studying STEM education to provide them an opportunity.”
— Chuck Dorn (30:32) -
On the Global View from Space:
“When you look at the Earth from space, all you see is a blue dot, blue marble. You don't see the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians or between Russia and Ukraine or Democrats and Republicans. You don't see any of that stuff.”
— Chuck Dorn (31:08)
Important Timestamps
- Chuck Dorn’s introduction and NASA background: 03:04–05:16
- Telemedicine and historic monitoring in space: 05:45–07:59
- Future enabling technologies and challenges: 08:45–11:26
- Ethics and SOLOMED’s role: 14:19–16:33
- Development of NASA medical guidelines and Artemis Accords: 18:48–22:39
- Societal implications of settlement (burial, communities): 20:38–22:39
- Defining astronaut/spaceflight standards: 22:39–23:44
- SOLOMED’s pillars and collaboration: 26:06–30:25
- Final thoughts on global collaboration and opportunity: 30:25–32:24
Tone and Style
The conversation is thoughtful, deeply reflective, and often anecdotal, drawing on both technical expertise and philosophical considerations. Dorn speaks with a blend of humility, humor, and seasoned insight, illustrating the intersection of technical possibility and human experience.
Summary Takeaway
This episode explores not just the technical hurdles but also the cultural, ethical, and policy frontiers of future space settlement. As the industry shifts toward more commercial and international collaboration, organizations like SOLOMED are working to ensure that profound questions—about health, ethics, and humanity itself—are considered with the gravity they deserve.