First Doc in Space is from Northwestern

In space, no one can hear you ... operate?

Robert “Bobby” Satcher, 44, an orthopedic surgeon from Northwestern Hospital, blasts off for outer-space on Monday Nov. 16 when NASA launches Atlantis on a mission to the International Space Station.

Satcher will become the first orthopedic surgeon in space, according to Nortwestern.edu, when he leaves the space station for a series of repair mission space walks.

Tapped for his surgical dexterity, Satcher will attempt to repair two robotic arms on the exterior of the space station.

Satcher will rely on his surgical training with intricate joint replacements to help repair the arms.

He’ll also help conduct experiments aboard the shuttle, including one to look at how space affects the human immune system.

The Northwestern doc will be tweeting his experience from space. He will tweet his experiences on www.twitter.com/astro_bones, a handle the public voted for him.

He'll also tweet about medical issues for space exploration on www.twitter.com/ZeroG_MD.

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