Medical-care systems for long-duration space missions

Abstract

As in the opening of frontiers on Earth, human physiological maladaptation, illness, and injury - rather than defective transportation systems - are likely to be the pace-limiting variables in efforts to expand the presence of humans into the solar system. Because of the inability of individuals to return to Earth rapidly and conveniently, the capability of delivering medical care on site will be key to the success of a manned space station, lunar base, and Mars mission. Spaceflight medical care equipment must meet stringent constraints of size, weight, and power requirements, and then must function accurately in remote, self-contained, microgravity settings after extended intervals of storage, with neither expert operators nor repair technicians on site. Satisfying these unusually rigorous requirements will require sustained direct involvement of clinically up-to-date health-care providers, medical scientists, and biomedical engineers, as well as astronauts and aerospace engineers and managers. Solutions will require validation in clinical settings with real patients, as well as in simulated operational settings.