Dr. Michael Barratt

“Michael Foreman’s story, from the small town of Wadsworth, to the vast expanse of space, is a journey of unwavering determination and inspiring achievement. Igniting his dream to become an astronaut at the tender age of 8, Foreman charted a course that defied the conventional expectations of his family. His path, marked by repeated applications to NASA and an unrelenting commitment to his goal, culminated in a remarkable career that saw him leave his footprints in the cosmos. Foreman’s tale is a vivid reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of pursuing one’s passions, no matter the odds. Through his spacewalks and work on the International Space Station, he not only contributed significantly to our understanding of space but also brought a touch of his Ohio roots to the stars. His story is a beacon of hope and inspiration, encouraging all to dream big and to tirelessly chase those dreams.”

“Dr. Michael Barratt’s journey from an education in Ohio to the vast expanse of space encapsulates a life dedicated to the exploration and understanding of the human condition in extreme environments. Born on April 16, 1969, in Vancouver, Washington, Barratt’s early fascination with medicine and his passion for flight converged into a career that not only took him to the heavens but also made significant contributions to aerospace medicine.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Washington and a medical degree from Northwestern University, Barratt’s path led him to Wright State University in Ohio. There, he specialized in aerospace medicine, a field that perfectly aligned with his love for flying and desire to push the boundaries of human knowledge. His training at Wright State, a program run jointly with NASA and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, laid the foundation for his future endeavors in space medicine.

Barratt’s career at NASA began at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in 1991, where he worked on medical systems for the Space Station Freedom and served as a NASA aviation medical examiner. His expertise and commitment quickly propelled him to significant roles, including witnessing the recovery of the Soyuz spacecraft in Kazakhstan and being deeply involved in the Shuttle-Mir program. His time in Star City, Russia, was not just a cultural exchange but an opportunity to blend different medical philosophies and practices, enhancing the international collaboration vital for the success of future space missions.

In 2000, NASA selected Barratt as a mission specialist, and his dream of going into space to enhance his medical expertise became a reality. His first flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on Expedition 19 in 2009 allowed him to study the physiological effects of space on the human body and perform critical spacewalks. His experience as a flight surgeon and an astronaut gave him a unique perspective, likening his medical bay in space to Dr. McCoy’s from Star Trek, albeit with more practical limitations.

Barratt’s subsequent mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery further solidified his role in the assembly and maintenance of the ISS. His work post-flight as the manager of the Human Research Program at JSC focuses on mitigating health and performance risks associated with human space travel, leveraging his extensive experience to guide future explorers.

An associate editor for the journal Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance and an editor for the textbook “Principles of Clinical Medicine for Space Flight,” Barratt continues to share his knowledge through lectures and publications. His commitment to education and sharing his experiences is evident in his advice to students, emphasizing the importance of passion and alignment with the space program’s needs.

Scheduled to serve as a pilot for the SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the ISS in 2024, Barratt’s journey is far from over. His numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Hubertus Strughold Award and the W. Randolph Lovelace Award, are a testament to his contributions to space medicine and human spaceflight. Dr. Michael Barratt’s story is not just one of personal achievement but a beacon for those who aspire to explore the unknown, reminding us that the heavens are not just a place to visit but a domain to understand and cherish.

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