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About "Chip"
Chauncey Thuss Jr, MD
Chauncey Thuss Jr., MD, is a third-generation Occupational Medicine physician practicing in Birmingham, Alabama. He serves as a Certified Medical Review Officer, an Aviation Medical Examiner, and the Medical Director of the UAB/St Vincent’s Occupational Medicine Clinics. With 40 years of experience in medicine, he now aspires to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut.
An Adventurous Spirit
Dr. Thuss is an avid adventurer with a passion for diverse activities. He is a PADI-certified diver, has skydived, slalom waterskis, snow skis, sails an Isotope catamaran, and enjoys hiking.
Right Images: Are the crevasse on the glacier on Mount Rainier
Image: Top of Kilimanjaro— Chip’s son is in the center with a red coat and Chip is in a beige coat to his left.
A love of Hiking and Ice Climbing
Two years ago (2023), he summited Mount Kilimanjaro, and in September of the previous year, he completed the RMI Expedition Skills Seminar-Muir on Mount Rainier, where he discovered a love for ice climbing out of a glacier crevasse. Ben accompanied his father on the Kilimanjaro climb, and at the end of May, his son plans to climb Denali with another RMI group. When Chip’s son will be the climbing Denali, he will be in England and already envies him!
Art Enthusiast
While not an artist, writer, or professional photographer, he appreciates art, enjoys a good story, and finds pleasure in photography.
Family Man
Dr. Thuss has been married to his wife, Jill, for 37 years, having met her while working at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital in England. They have two sons, Paul and Ben.
Education Background
Dr. Thuss attended Indian Springs School in Birmingham, where the motto "Discere Vivendo" (Learning through Living) shaped his approach to life. He earned his undergraduate degree from Boston University and his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine.
"Aim High" To Space and Beyond
A space enthusiast, Dr. Thuss has witnessed two Space Shuttle launches, including the final mission featuring John Glenn. Inspired by Glenn’s late-career spaceflight, he believes he is young enough for his own journey into space. Dr. Thuss had the honor of meeting Eugene Kranz, the mission control director during the Apollo 13 mission. During their meeting, Kranz signed a small American flag with "Eugene Kranz, Apollo 13" and a copy of the foundations of mission operations with the inscription, "To Chip - Aim High!" Dr. Thuss carries forward Kranz’s advice and his famous mantra, "Failure is not an option," as he pursues his ambitions.
About Starbound
In 2025, a group of 118 individuals, brought together by their applications for a zero-gravity parabolic flight competition hosted by the nonprofit Space for Humanity, embarked on an unexpected journey. The catalyst was a simple online conversation between two participants, one of whom, Kilo, suggested they form a community to connect and collaborate. Excited by the idea, the two reached out to the other applicants, inviting them to an Instagram group chat. Soon, 101 people—each with unique expertise—joined the conversation, eager to build something meaningful together.
The group chat buzzed with enthusiasm as members shared their backgrounds and aspirations. They discussed ways to improve humanity, plan meetups, and work on projects that reflected their collective passions. The group was a diverse mix: engineers tackling technical challenges, doctors and neuroscientists advancing health and cognition, scientists and physicists exploring new frontiers, and aviators with a deep knowledge of flight. Lawyers offered legal expertise, architects and a UX architect shaped innovative designs, and a space chiropractor brought specialized wellness insights. Software engineers contributed technical prowess, while designers, artists, content creators, and teachers infused creativity and education into the mix.
Inspired to create a shared platform, the group held a poll to name their initiative, and Starbound was chosen as the winner. One member took the lead, helping everyone set up bios and profiles and launching a blog on the aCo App, a digital platform designed to support their ambitions. The app provided tools to collaborate, manage ideas, organize events, and track projects and tasks. With profiles established and a growing list of ideas populating the app, Starbound became a dynamic hub where this community of innovators could share their visions, work together, and inspire one another to make a positive impact on the world.