Space medicine combines many medical specialties to examine the effects of spaceflight on humans and prevent problems associated with living in the unique, isolated, and extreme environment of space. Medical, scientific, and engineering teams work together to maintain the physical, mental, and social well-being of humans in space and upon return to Earth.

The CSA Operational Space Medicine Group

The Operational Space Medicine (OSM) Group is the Canadian Space Agency medical body responsible for the health and safety of Canadian astronauts. In this context, health is defined as complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or illness. Operational Space Medicine is one of the key areas of activity within the Canadian Astronaut Office.

The crest of the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) Operational Space Medicine (OSM) Group highlights the Group's mission to provide medical support to Canadian Astronauts in the human exploration of space. This crest was designed by Canadian artist Paul Fjeld.

The OSM Group had three main functions:

• Medical Operations - providing medical support to ensure the health and safety of both Canadian and ISS astronauts to optimize performance during all phases of training and missions.
  
  
• Projects - developing medical technologies and procedures to enhance performance and to prevent, diagnosis, and treat illness and injury.
  
  
• Aerospace Medicine Training - supporting aerospace medicine training for medical students, medical residents, and physicians to develop and foster Canadian expertise in aerospace medicine.