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Space Doctor
TOM NOELS SET UP THE FIRST HOSPITAL IN ORBIT...AND IT COULD BE THE LAST!
It would cost 150 lives, more or less, to get the GEO satellite on-line and transmitting solar power to an energy-starved Earth—that was the estimate of fatal industrial accidents in the mammoth space project.
It was Dr. Tom Noels's job to cut that deadly figure drastically, by designing, staffing, and running a complete emergency ward .22,400 miles from the nearest hospital. Tom Noels had to re-invent almost every medical technique to allow for weightlessness and the other unknown effects of space, and he improvised brilliantly—but not always successfully.
He treated patients who were injured in ways undreamed-of in medical history including a "bullet wound" from a micro-meteorite—lost some, saved some, and would save many more .if only he managed to stay alive himself!
It would cost 150 lives, more or less, to get the GEO satellite on-line and transmitting solar power to an energy-starved Earth—that was the estimate of fatal industrial accidents in the mammoth space project.
It was Dr. Tom Noels's job to cut that deadly figure drastically, by designing, staffing, and running a complete emergency ward .22,400 miles from the nearest hospital. Tom Noels had to re-invent almost every medical technique to allow for weightlessness and the other unknown effects of space, and he improvised brilliantly—but not always successfully.
He treated patients who were injured in ways undreamed-of in medical history including a "bullet wound" from a micro-meteorite—lost some, saved some, and would save many more .if only he managed to stay alive himself!
- GenresScience FictionFiction
245 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 12, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 9, 2011
An OK story about a doctor learning how to adapt medical procedures for orbital space stations. The author has strong Libertarian views and expresses them often in the book. Keep this in mind if you decide to read the novel.
November 26, 2025
The Short Version
A fascinating mess of a book that's full of great ideas and cool deep space medicine. The science is hard, and bounces between being insightful and frightfully dated. The pacing is a mess, and the story thin as worn sheets. But somehow it's quite readable. Not a good book, but if zero g medicine intrigues you, then there's something here for you.
The Long Version
As I said above, this book is a mess. But there's a lot of neat ideas running through it. We have seen books touch on medicine in space before, but seeing the establishment of the first deep space medical clinic is actually really interesting. The fact that the author never finds some excuse to give everyone gravity really helps sell the concept, and open up new areas of medical difficulties.
But wait! I'm heaping praise on this book that I only gave two stars! Well yes, that's because for all its positives, there are a lot of issues. The biggest being pacing. Half the book is spent on Earth prepping to go to space. Most of these scenes add nothing to the story and key bits of information could have been told in space through some exposition. This is especially frustrating because once you get to space, stuff suddenly gets a lot more interesting, but there isn't enough book to flesh it out and really tell a story with it.
The lack of story is the other big hurdle. The plot is just a series of events with no greater goal, which would be fine if the character story was more engaging. Ostensibly it's about a man getting over the death of his wife, but if the book didn't remind you about it every few chapters you'd completely forget, because it barely affects anything that happens.
Then there's the books politics. They are a mishmash of contradictory Libertarian ideas. The doctor runs a clinic where he gives out free medicine to those who can't afford it, so he clearly believes everyone should have access to medical help, but he's against socialized medicine. The author rightly hates bureaucracy, but has no idea how to write it. He hates hates long haired hippies and artists, and seems to despise women's lib, but writes a strong female character fighting to be respected in a male dominated industry, who also hates women's lib...
All this chaos made the book strangely engaging, and I flew through it. I loved bits, hated lots, but am strangely glad I read it. Thoroughly mediocre, I can only recommend it to people who want to see some solid hard sci fi about zero g medicine. To everyone else, this is a curiosity at best.
A fascinating mess of a book that's full of great ideas and cool deep space medicine. The science is hard, and bounces between being insightful and frightfully dated. The pacing is a mess, and the story thin as worn sheets. But somehow it's quite readable. Not a good book, but if zero g medicine intrigues you, then there's something here for you.
The Long Version
As I said above, this book is a mess. But there's a lot of neat ideas running through it. We have seen books touch on medicine in space before, but seeing the establishment of the first deep space medical clinic is actually really interesting. The fact that the author never finds some excuse to give everyone gravity really helps sell the concept, and open up new areas of medical difficulties.
But wait! I'm heaping praise on this book that I only gave two stars! Well yes, that's because for all its positives, there are a lot of issues. The biggest being pacing. Half the book is spent on Earth prepping to go to space. Most of these scenes add nothing to the story and key bits of information could have been told in space through some exposition. This is especially frustrating because once you get to space, stuff suddenly gets a lot more interesting, but there isn't enough book to flesh it out and really tell a story with it.
The lack of story is the other big hurdle. The plot is just a series of events with no greater goal, which would be fine if the character story was more engaging. Ostensibly it's about a man getting over the death of his wife, but if the book didn't remind you about it every few chapters you'd completely forget, because it barely affects anything that happens.
Then there's the books politics. They are a mishmash of contradictory Libertarian ideas. The doctor runs a clinic where he gives out free medicine to those who can't afford it, so he clearly believes everyone should have access to medical help, but he's against socialized medicine. The author rightly hates bureaucracy, but has no idea how to write it. He hates hates long haired hippies and artists, and seems to despise women's lib, but writes a strong female character fighting to be respected in a male dominated industry, who also hates women's lib...
All this chaos made the book strangely engaging, and I flew through it. I loved bits, hated lots, but am strangely glad I read it. Thoroughly mediocre, I can only recommend it to people who want to see some solid hard sci fi about zero g medicine. To everyone else, this is a curiosity at best.
July 14, 2014
Interesting idea that was way ahead of it's time. Lee Correy did an excellent job with this book, presenting his story logically and with precision.
The characters are interesting, the setting (outer space medical clinic, come on, what's not great about that?) and even the events. It also adds to your knowledge of some of the more esoteric facets of major building projects. (I didn't realize until reading this that there was always a "death/dismemberment" cost figured out by the company/government doing the building--amazing what you can learn from your leisure time reading.)
I enjoyed everything about this book, when I read it.
The characters are interesting, the setting (outer space medical clinic, come on, what's not great about that?) and even the events. It also adds to your knowledge of some of the more esoteric facets of major building projects. (I didn't realize until reading this that there was always a "death/dismemberment" cost figured out by the company/government doing the building--amazing what you can learn from your leisure time reading.)
I enjoyed everything about this book, when I read it.
maybe-read-sometime
July 21, 2012I flipped through it a little and it read kind of like ER in space. No, that's too recent ... maybe Trapper John in space. (Keep in mind that I can just barely remember seeing that so the comparison may be way off.)
January 20, 2018
Space doctor was published in the eighties (at least according to my copy) but it reads more like the fifties or late forties. Not saying that is a bad thing, although it is different from what you would think.
This kind of story is a lot more rare today then it was in the fifties, it was very refreshing to read. Rather then be about something epic in scope it's about one man who is doing some very interesting things, almost slice is life-ish.
The story is about a doctor who is hired by a senator/business owner who is trying to get power sat's working (solar panels in orbit beaming power down to stations on the earth). There are two sets of stations, one is in high orbit where the sat's themselves are being built.
The main character is hired to be the head doctor on the upper satellites. That high up they can't send people down if there is a medical problem, they have to deal with it then and there. He is in practice starting a new area of medicine, doing it all by feel and trial and error.
For example they have to invent IV bags that will squeeze themselves because there is no gravity. He has to talk the engineers into making sure he and his people can get around quickly when they are needed ect.
Its a very good relaxing and interesting read.
www.JoshuaLawrencePike.com
This kind of story is a lot more rare today then it was in the fifties, it was very refreshing to read. Rather then be about something epic in scope it's about one man who is doing some very interesting things, almost slice is life-ish.
The story is about a doctor who is hired by a senator/business owner who is trying to get power sat's working (solar panels in orbit beaming power down to stations on the earth). There are two sets of stations, one is in high orbit where the sat's themselves are being built.
The main character is hired to be the head doctor on the upper satellites. That high up they can't send people down if there is a medical problem, they have to deal with it then and there. He is in practice starting a new area of medicine, doing it all by feel and trial and error.
For example they have to invent IV bags that will squeeze themselves because there is no gravity. He has to talk the engineers into making sure he and his people can get around quickly when they are needed ect.
Its a very good relaxing and interesting read.
www.JoshuaLawrencePike.com
October 27, 2024
This reads half as a Golden Age book after its time. Spaceflight is being carried out by a large corporation (run by our protagonist's old friend), but our protagonist (brought in as on-site doctor in the industrial space station) has something of the same zeal and sense of possibility.
But, that possibility is put to work in the details. We see our protagonist not building new inventions to do new things, but building up logistics and procedures to save lives amid the effort of building a space presence. Plus, he has a character arc. This's a way I wish the Golden Age could've developed. We've got the same brimming-over zeal and something of the same possibility still there, which has been lost in many modern sci-fi tales.
Unfortunately, this isn't a deep or long book. It's short enough there's little there beneath the surface. It's hard for me to even identify how much of Corey's description of industrial construction in space has been obsoleted by advances in computer tech. But, that surface gives you enough to be metaphorically splashed with - and to me, it's fun.
But, that possibility is put to work in the details. We see our protagonist not building new inventions to do new things, but building up logistics and procedures to save lives amid the effort of building a space presence. Plus, he has a character arc. This's a way I wish the Golden Age could've developed. We've got the same brimming-over zeal and something of the same possibility still there, which has been lost in many modern sci-fi tales.
Unfortunately, this isn't a deep or long book. It's short enough there's little there beneath the surface. It's hard for me to even identify how much of Corey's description of industrial construction in space has been obsoleted by advances in computer tech. But, that surface gives you enough to be metaphorically splashed with - and to me, it's fun.
October 5, 2018
Despite its silly title and some narrative clichés, Space Doctor turns out to be a decent novel.
The technological elements of the plot generally feel dated, but not implausible. Several tropes make an appearance, including that of the protagonist with a haunted past who learns to love again during a heroic undertaking.
Overall, however, the book remains interesting, largely through its thoughtful depiction of medical situations and procedures in a microgravity environment. Also in the column of positive attributes is cover artwork that is actually relevant to the story, which cannot always be assumed with science fiction novels.
All in all, Space Doctor somewhat exceeded this reviewer’s rather modest expectations, but it does not warrant a strong recommendation.
The technological elements of the plot generally feel dated, but not implausible. Several tropes make an appearance, including that of the protagonist with a haunted past who learns to love again during a heroic undertaking.
Overall, however, the book remains interesting, largely through its thoughtful depiction of medical situations and procedures in a microgravity environment. Also in the column of positive attributes is cover artwork that is actually relevant to the story, which cannot always be assumed with science fiction novels.
All in all, Space Doctor somewhat exceeded this reviewer’s rather modest expectations, but it does not warrant a strong recommendation.
February 6, 2025
The medical detail is really interesting if you like space (cannot vouch for scientific accuracy.) There's a lot of engineering info too, though I found that less engaging.
But, to enjoy that you have to plough through ongoing and tiring sexism. Our MC actively assesses every woman he meets in terms of whether she is beautiful or useful. Yes, this is an older book, but it wouldn't have been a huge stretch to do better -- it's the 80s, not the 50s. At least there are women characters, I s'pose ... don't read this for ethnic diversity or any mention of anyone not cishet.
Read if you want a historical view of the technical possibilities around building a hospital in space. Avoid if you want much of a plot or realistic / diverse human relationships.
But, to enjoy that you have to plough through ongoing and tiring sexism. Our MC actively assesses every woman he meets in terms of whether she is beautiful or useful. Yes, this is an older book, but it wouldn't have been a huge stretch to do better -- it's the 80s, not the 50s. At least there are women characters, I s'pose ... don't read this for ethnic diversity or any mention of anyone not cishet.
Read if you want a historical view of the technical possibilities around building a hospital in space. Avoid if you want much of a plot or realistic / diverse human relationships.
November 3, 2024
This is more of a 3.5. Really enjoyed the premise and the descriptions of the medical emergencies in space - what had to be considered, how the problems were unique or different in space, how they were solved, etc. Lots of fun descriptions there! I didn’t enjoy the romances and disliked the way women were written (one line said something like “not only was she a decoration, but she was also an asset” and other ones that basically showed surprise at a woman being both beautiful and smart/competent). Could’ve removed those relationships entirely and the book would’ve been better.
October 18, 2022
I am wanting to read old 70s-80s science fiction or fantasy books so I thought I would start with this one because it had a retro type cover on it. Although my understanding of the scientific or technological elements varied, the story was fine for what it was and probably was revolutionary for tackling the subject of space medicine and humanity's need to reach more farther than the stars was interesting to explore.
September 19, 2021
This was some hard sci-fi. The best way I can describe it is slice of life frontier doctoring in space. It's a little dense and technical at times, but also extremely human. It's definitely worth a read.
May 27, 2022
Interesting thoughts about the problems of medicine in zero gravity
December 13, 2023
Fun quick romp into how one might conceivably build a operating medical clinic in space. Very 80s, sometimes overdramatic, but all in all great fun!
April 13, 2025
Good quick read. goes into some light detail of difficulty with low gravity medical care.
August 3, 2016
The space and doctor parts were quite nice and rather intriguing. There was certainly a great deal of thought put into the logistics of medical emergencies in zero gravity and in vacuum. The only real complaint was the romantic subplot with the "doctor who can heal anything but his broken heart" and the rather one dimensional women he tries dating. The other issue, albeit somewhat minor, are the thinly-veiled libertarian diatribes that one of the characters will occasionally give. These speeches are only toward the first third of the book and didn't fully detract from what plot was available. That being said, the book was published in 1981 and probably should be viewed through that lens as well.
May 31, 2014
I love the concepts he came up with. Even though the book is over 30 years old, it's still full of good ideas and interesting ways to solve problems and look at the world. I'm puzzled by the libertarian comments in other reviews, because he seemed rather more socialist to me, but hey, that's not really important to the ideas and the stories
November 24, 2012
Enjoyable and thought provoking. I felt it gave a good glimpse of a possible commercial utilization of space, alternative energy source and the challengers for practicing medicine in space. Conversation and native seemed a little stiff and at times forced.
December 25, 2014
Dated but still interesting story about medicine in space. The love story reads like an add-on with no credibility whatsoever. Read it for the free fall medical emergencies and the strange (for a nordic reader) views of medicine as a business.
February 4, 2016
This story of a doctor setting up a hospital in a space base for astronauts constructing solar power satellites starts slow but the suspense builds at the end. There's a great deal of technical details by an author who knew what he was talking about, which I appreciated.
Read
July 24, 2011A dated story (1981) but still thought provoking. How to practice medicine in free-fall. Read this as a teenager and dug it out of one of my many boxes of books.
November 8, 2014
1985 grade A-
2013 grade B+
2013 grade B+
January 16, 2015
The plot didn't grab me very hard on its own merits, but the science and sense of place is excellent.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews