sub evolutionis
Space medicine is fundamental to the human exploration of space. It supports survival, function and performance in this challenging and potentially lethal environment. It is international, intercultural and interdisciplinary, operating at the boundaries of exploration, science, technology and medicine.This website introduces the field of space medicine and describes the different types of spaceflight, environmental challenges, associated medical and physiological effects, and operational medical considerations. It will describe the varied roles of the space medicine doctor, including the conduct of surgery and anaesthesia, and concludes with a vision of the future for space medicine.
Space medicine doctors have a responsibility to space workers and spaceflight participants. These flight surgeons are key in developing mitigation strategies to ensure the safety, health and performance of space travellers in what is an extreme and hazardous environment. This includes all phases from selection, training and spaceflight itself to post-flight rehabilitation and long-term health.
Space medicine is a key component of the spacecraft design process that extends throughout the entirety of the spacecraft’s functional life. Proper consideration of space medicine is integral to the success of an exploration-class mission because space medicine has the potential to largely reduces the risk of death or debilitation from an otherwise preventable onboard medical event. Proper consideration of space medicine requirements for spaceflight will also benefit medical research because it will provide an opportunity for more data to be recorded, which will allow subsequent missions to better implement countermeasures in light of the research gained.