Nick Caplan

Nick Caplan

Professor of Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle

Nick graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2005 with a PhD in Biomechanics. He subsequently joined Northumbria University where he is now Professor of Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Director of Postgraduate Research for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

Nick works with a range of collaborators from around the world in research relating to aspects of musculoskeletal dysfunction. Most notably, he has worked closely with the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2009 due to the relevance of deep spinal muscle deconditioning to astronaut rehabilitation. As a result of this collaboration, Nick has acted as an advisor to ESA in relation to exercise after spaceflight.

Nick is an Executive Board member of the UK Space Life and Biomedical Sciences Association, where he chairs a steering group developing a national strategy for space biomedicine related to ageing. He is also an editorial board member of the journal Sports Engineering, Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, and the World Journal of Orthopaedics, and is Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma.

Latest articles by Nick Caplan

What happens when someone dies in space? Space tourism brings new legal and moral issues

By Christopher Newman, Nick Caplan published

Commercial spaceflight companies such as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are now offering exclusive opportunities for celebrities and civilians to travel to space.

Human Spaceflight
William Shatner floats in front if his window, with the Earth visible in the background, during Blue Origin's New Shepard launch on Oct. 13, 2021 in this video still.

William Shatner oldest astronaut at 90 – Here's how space tourism could affect older people

By Nick Caplan, Christopher Newman last updated

With commercial spaceflight companies now taking older people to space, it's timely to consider the potential physical impact space flight might have on them.

Human Spaceflight
Crew Dragon on its way to the space station in an artist's rendition.

Will the average person need to exercise during a commercial spaceflight?

By Andrew Winnard, Claire Bruce-Martin, Jonathan Michael Laws, Nick Caplan published

This year, Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to launch the first private space mission into orbit with no professional astronauts.

Private Spaceflight
White Knight Two

Space Tourism Could Help Boost Science and Health Research — Here's How

By Nick Caplan, Kirsty Lindsay published

The announcement of the draft Spaceflight Bill in the Queen's Speech will allow the development of spaceports in the UK.

Human Spaceflight
STS Steve Robinson on Canadarm

Ten Ways That Astronauts are Helping You Stay Healthy

By Nick Caplan, Andrew Winnard published

Astronauts on the International Space Station are growing crystals that could help develop new drugs for use on Earth. Here are ten healthcare technologies that have already come from space.

Human Spaceflight