International dimension of space medicine

Abstract

Human space flight has emerged as an international, private sector, and government enterprise. In the early twenty-first century, human space flight operations are no longer limited to the United States (U.S.) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)/Russia. Recently, China has developed and carried out human space flight missions. Other countries and commercial space operators are also experimenting and developing human space flight capabilities. As humans travel into space, the discipline of space medicine has evolved to provide the necessary medical and biomedical support for space flight crews. This development and practice often crosses geography, philosophy, culture, and language. This chapter describes current approaches to international space medicine practice, accelerated by the International Space Station (ISS) program. This collaboration involves international flight surgeons and biomedical consultants ensuring crew member health, pre-, in- and post-flight. Collaboration and coordination among international medical personnel takes place in various geographic locations. The development of space medicine, the challenges of working among international partners from the early years of space flight through to the current ISS activities will be presented. In addition, some thoughts and reflections about international commercial space flight and how space medicine will be an important element for the health and safety of crews and passengers.