Systems Medicine For Human Spaceflight

This edited volume makes the case that a systems approach is needed for long-term spaceflight missions. Due to distance from Earth and the impossibility of resupply or rapid return, these flights will entail unprecedented autonomy on the part of the crew. This autonomy includes the need for local clinical decision support and other assistance with urgent medical concerns. The advantage of a systems approach to medical needs in human spaceflight is that it enables a systematic and repeatable methodology for identifying and developing the individual pieces of the spacecraft systems based on the human system needs that are unique to that problem and environment.The book begins by introducing a systems basis for thinking about humans in space. It describes existing models and paradigms of systems medicine, as well as the tools and analytical approaches involved. A tantalizing peek at preliminary applications of systems medicine in NASA is provided. As systems in human spaceflight continue to evolve for the foreseeable future, it is argued that a systems approach will help to ensure that the evolution of the relevant sub-systems is centered on optimal human-system function across the unique spaceflight needs of the developing customer base. The discussions on balancing the needs of the mission versus the maintenance of crew health, medical risk and liability for commercial spaceflights, and the need to anticipate what the next medical issues might be, will hopefully leave readers cautiously optimistic about this new frontier of applied science.

Over the years, a large body of knowledge has developed regarding the ways in which space flight affects the health of the personnel involved. Now, for the first time, this clinical knowledge on how to diagnose and treat conditions that either develop during a mission or because of a mission has been compiled by Drs. Michael Barratt and Sam L. Pool of the NASA/Johnson Space Center. Complete with detailed information on the physiological and psychological affects of space flight as well as how to diagnose and treat everything from dental concerns to decompression to dermatological problems encountered, this text is a must have for all those associated with aerospace medicine.

Investigations in space have led to fundamental discoveries of the human body to the space environment. Gilles Clément has conducted extensive research in this field. This readable text presents the findings from the life science experiments conducted during and after space missions. About 1200 human space flights have been completed to date, including more than 500 astronauts from various countries, for a combined total presence in space of about 90 years. The first edition of this title was published in 2005 (written in 2003 – 2004), and new data is now available from crewmembers participating in long-duration flights on board the International Space Station (ISS). The number of astronauts who have spent six months in orbit has doubled since 2004. On board the ISS, the astronauts use newly developed pharmaceutical countermeasure for bone loss (such as biophosphonates) and state-of-the-art exercise resistive devices against muscle atrophy and cardiovascular deterioration. The ISS life support systems now use advanced closed-loop systems for meeting the needs of a 6-person crew, including recycling urine to water. Some of these new technologies have potential spin-offs for medical (i.e., sedentary life style, obesity) and environmental issues here on Earth. And finally, there are new space research opportunities with the Orion space vehicle that will soon replace the Space Shuttle, the Moon, and Mars space exploration program that is slowly but surely taking shape, and the space tourism sector that has become a reality. The focus on this edition is the ISS, Orion and planetary exploration, and space tourism. This edition also includes more than 20% new material, along with photographs, data, and video clips for Springer Extras!

This readable text presents findings from the life science experiments conducted during and after space missions. It provides an insight into the space medical community and the real challenges that face the flight surgeon and life science investigator.

2009 life science book award from IAA.

The technologies required to support long-duration human exploration missions to the surface of the Moon or Mars will be critical to the next 50 years of space exploration. The Canadian Space Agency is perfectly positioned to build on the national robotic capability developed for the space shuttle and ISS programs by incorporating the results of long-duration microgravity research and clinical expertise into the development of a new contribution to human spaceflight: an advanced autonomous crew healthcare system. Through participation in ISS and associated research, Canadian scientists, clinicians and specialists in space medicine have demonstrated elements of virtual clinical care including remote minimally invasive surgery. This expertise and these technologies are the platform upon which a robust capacity for virtual care can be built. It will support human space exploration, enhance Canadian military operations and transform the delivery of remote healthcare and care for the elderly. While the benefits to Canadians are numerous, the expansion of Canadian leadership in space medicine is the next step in ensuring a continuous role as a major space-faring nation. The Expert Group recommends that the CSA pursue a leadership role in deep-space astronaut healthcare, with a consortium of partners, prior to the Mars exploration missions, through a strategic vision with a bold objective and ambitious timeline.

“Space Pharmacology” is a review of the current knowledge regarding the use of pharmaceuticals during spaceflights. It is a comprehensive review of the literature, addressing each area of pharmacokinetics and each major physiological system in turn. Every section begins with a topic overview, and is followed by a discussion of published data from spaceflight, and from ground experiments meant to model the spaceflight situation. Includes a discussion looking forward to the new medical challenges we are likely to face on longer duration exploration missions. This book is a snapshot of our current knowledge that also highlights areas of unknown.