Commercial Space Flight
Industry Collaborations
The field of human spaceflight is rapidly evolving, with commercial companies playing an increasingly critical role in advancing exploration, research, and astronaut health. Unlike traditional government-led programs, commercial spaceflight companies are pioneering new approaches to mission planning, spacecraft development, and operational health monitoring. The Space Medicine Fellowship at UTHealth Houston provides fellows with direct exposure to these cutting-edge programs, preparing them to meet the unique medical challenges of both orbital and suborbital missions. Through these partnerships, fellows engage in operational planning, risk mitigation, and the development of clinical protocols for astronauts, while observing the integration of research, technology, and human performance optimization in real-world spaceflight operations.
By collaborating with industry leaders, our fellows gain firsthand experience in the commercial spaceflight sector, participating in multidisciplinary projects that intersect medicine, engineering, and aerospace operations. This exposure equips fellows with the skills necessary to contribute to a rapidly growing field, where the demands of space exploration require innovation, adaptability, and clinical expertise.
Our Collaborators
Jaime Mateus, PhD
As SpaceX’s Manager of Space Medicine, Dr. Jaime Mateus leads the medical and health aspects of human spaceflight operations. Working with a team of physicians, researchers, and engineers, he integrates the latest medical research, data, and operational experience to ensure astronaut safety and prepare for long-duration spaceflight.
His responsibilities include overseeing medical evaluations, astronaut training, and in-flight support for SpaceX missions, as well as the development of medical systems for Dragon and Starship. He also manages SpaceX’s research program, designing studies that tackle the greatest health challenges of deep-space travel, including those conducted on the Inspiration4 mission. Under his leadership, his team has played a key role in medical oversight for eight human spaceflight missions.
Dr. Mateus began his career at SpaceX in 2021 as a Senior Medical Research Engineer, spearheading the company’s commercial astronaut spaceflight research program. Before joining SpaceX, he was the founder and CEO of a deep-tech startup, worked in biotech venture capital, and advised early-stage startups. He holds a Master of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering from Imperial College London and earned both his Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics and PhD in Aerospace Biomedical Engineering from MIT.
Dana Levin, MD, MPH
Dr. Dana Levin is a board-certified Aerospace and Emergency Medicine physician with extensive experience in medical system development for human spaceflight. He has served as the Systems Engineering and Integration Physician for NASA’s Human Research Program, focusing on Exploration Medical Capability—advancing medical technologies for deep-space missions.
As a Flight Surgeon for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, he worked directly on astronaut health and mission readiness. Currently, Dr. Levin supports NASA’s Earth Independent Medical Operations as a physician for KBR under the Human Health and Performance Contract with UTMB, contributing to risk assessment and medical systems development for long-duration spaceflight.
In addition to his work with NASA, Dr. Levin serves as the Flight Surgeon for VAST Space, a company dedicated to developing the next generation of commercial space stations, helping to shape the future of human spaceflight.
These partnerships provide a unique platform for fellows to observe and participate in the integration of healthcare and operational excellence in commercial missions, fostering professional growth and advancing the field of space medicine.