The World's First Spacefaring Commercial Cardiologist Has Lessons for Would-Be Astronauts

Dr. Eiman Jahangir, an Iranian-American cardiologist, became the first spacefaring commercial cardiologist when he crossed the Kármán line on a Blue Origin flight in August 2024. His journey to space involved five rejections from NASA, a stint in the Biosphere 2 habitat, and securing his ticket through the decentralized autonomous organization MoonDAO. A Heart for Space is a memoir and self-help book that emphasizes the importance of a systematic, repeatable process for aspiring astronauts, moving away from government selection and focusing on consistent effort and access. The book highlights how the new space industry offers wider access and opportunities for people with the right connections or resources.

• A Heart for Space is part memoir, part self-help book for those aspiring to someday make it into space.
• The story of Dr. Jahangir's journey shows that the path to space is no longer about government selection boards or having “the right stuff” but about consistently driving towards the ultimate dream.
• The book provides insights into how the new space industry is different from the past, offering wider access and opportunities for people with the right connections or resources.
• Stories like A Heart for Space demonstrate how the future of spaceflight might rapidly change, inspiring others to take their own adventure above the Kármán line.

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