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vbpriya17Crew Health Management in the ISS
Introduction
Crew health management is a critical aspect of manned space missions. It ensures that
astronauts are physically and mentally capable of carrying out their duties in space, where
they face unique environmental challenges such as microgravity, radiation, and isolation.
Inadequate health management can jeopardize mission success, safety, and the well-
being of the crew. Effective management involves pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight
measures to mitigate risks, maintain health, and manage emergencies.
Pre-Flight Health Management
1. Selection and Training:
Astronaut selection is stringent, focusing on physical fitness, mental resilience, and
adaptability to stressful environments. Candidates undergo rigorous medical
examinations to ensure they can handle the harsh conditions of space. Pre-flight training
includes simulations of medical emergencies and the use of equipment like defibrillators
or telemedicine systems. Psychological training is also crucial to prepare for isolation,
confinement, and the mental demands of space travel.
2. Health Optimization:
Astronauts embark on tailored fitness regimes to optimize their physical condition
before flight. Nutrition and fitness plans are individualized to reduce risks related to
cardiovascular health, bone density loss, and muscle atrophy. Immunizations and
preventive care are provided to avoid diseases that could be exacerbated by the space
environment.
In-Flight Health Management
1. Microgravity Effects:
The absence of gravity significantly affects the human body, causing muscle atrophy
and bone loss. To counteract this, astronauts are required to exercise for up to two hours
daily using specially designed equipment, such as treadmills with harnesses or resistance
machines like the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED). These exercises
maintain muscle mass and bone density, reducing long-term damage.
2. Radiation Exposure:
Outside of Earth's protective atmosphere, astronauts are exposed to higher levels of
cosmic radiation. This exposure can increase cancer risk, damage DNA, and harm organs.
Spacecraft are designed with radiation shielding, and mission durations are planned to
minimize exposure. Furthermore, radiation sensors inside the spacecraft monitor levels,
and crew members wear personal dosimeters to track individual exposure. If a solar storm
occurs, astronauts may be directed to shelter in areas of the spacecraft with better
shielding.
3. Psychological Health:
The isolation, confinement, and separation from family can cause psychological stress.
Astronauts regularly communicate with family and psychologists on Earth to maintain
mental well-being. Structured daily routines, entertainment options, and social activities
with crew members help alleviate stress. Furthermore, relaxation techniques like
mindfulness and meditation are encouraged.
4. Telemedicine and Onboard Medical Resources:
Spacecraft are equipped with medical kits and basic diagnostic tools like ultrasound
machines and defibrillators. However, due to the limitations of space, crew members
cannot have a full medical facility on board. Instead, telemedicine plays a critical role.
Medical personnel on Earth can guide astronauts through diagnostics and treatment
procedures remotely. For example, during NASA's Skylab missions, astronauts were
treated for motion sickness and eye infections using advice from Earth-bound doctors via
telemedicine systems.
5. Nutrition and Hydration:
Nutrition in space is carefully managed to ensure astronauts receive the necessary
vitamins and minerals. Space food is fortified with nutrients to combat the deficiencies
that arise from the space environment. Hydration is equally important, and water intake
is closely monitored. Water recycling systems are employed on the International Space
Station (ISS) to reclaim water from urine and sweat, ensuring a continuous supply for the
crew.
Post-Flight Health Management
1. Physical Rehabilitation:
After returning to Earth, astronauts experience re-adaptation to gravity, which can be
physically taxing. Muscles and bones that have weakened in space must be gradually
strengthened through rehabilitation exercises. This process can take weeks or even
months, depending on the length of the mission.
2. Monitoring Long-Term Health:
Astronauts are monitored for years after their missions to study the long-term effects of
space travel, especially regarding bone density, cardiovascular health, and radiation
exposure. NASA's Twin Study, which compared astronaut Scott Kelly’s year in space with
his twin brother Mark Kelly on Earth, provided significant insights into how long-duration
spaceflight affects human health, including changes in DNA and immune response.
Case Study: ISS Crew Health Management
The International Space Station (ISS), which has been continuously inhabited since
2000, serves as a prime example of crew health management in space. The ISS is
equipped with various medical supplies, exercise equipment, and telemedicine
capabilities. Astronauts on the ISS face extended exposure to microgravity, but daily
exercise routines and carefully planned nutrition programs mitigate these effects.
During a medical emergency on the ISS in 2015, astronaut Scott Kelly experienced
vision issues due to a condition known as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular
Syndrome (SANS). This condition, caused by fluid shifts in microgravity, affects eyesight
and intracranial pressure. NASA and flight surgeons on Earth closely monitored Kelly’s
condition and provided recommendations on mitigating the symptoms until his return to
Earth. This case demonstrated the importance of real-time health management and the
role of telemedicine in handling medical issues that arise in space.
Conclusion
Crew health management in manned space missions is multifaceted, encompassing
physical, mental, and environmental health. The harsh environment of space necessitates
a comprehensive approach to managing the well-being of astronauts before, during, and
after their missions. Advances in technology, telemedicine, and understanding of human
physiology in space are continually improving the effectiveness of these health
management systems, ensuring that astronauts can perform at their best while minimizing
risks to their health.
MANNED SPACE MISSIONS
ASSIGNMENT – 2
CREW HEALTH MANAGEMENT
IN THE ISS
Submitted by: Priyadharshini V, 21103117
