For the first time in 25 years, an astronaut had to be medically evacuated from the International Space Station (ISS) during the Crew-11 mission. This historic event raises questions about how astronauts maintain their health in space and why evacuations are so rare.
Nasa hasn’t shared many details to protect the astronaut’s privacy, leaving us curious about the medical protocols in place. Before selection, astronauts undergo extensive health screenings. They are tested for issues that could worsen in microgravity and also evaluated for psychological resilience. Continuous monitoring helps ensure their well-being throughout missions.
Interestingly, while models predict a medical emergency could arise every three years, actual incidents are quite rare. Each ISS mission includes a Crew Medical Officer, who may be a doctor or someone with specialized training in space medicine. They can perform basic exams, give medications, and conduct telemedicine consultations with specialists on Earth.
Space presents unique health challenges. A 2015 study found astronauts used about ten doses of over-the-counter medication weekly, often for common issues such as headaches and skin irritation. Skin problems tend to occur 25 times more often in space due to the dry, cold environment. In fact, irritations like dry skin and hypersensitive reactions are frequently reported.
NASA research indicates that congestion and headaches affect many astronauts, especially early in their missions. Without gravity, fluids shift towards the head, resulting in discomfort that astronauts sometimes refer to as “space sniffles.” Sleep disturbances are another concern, with astronauts logging just one to two hours less sleep per night compared to Earth. This is due to the rapid oscillation of day and night that occurs on the ISS.
Despite these challenges, astronauts exercise for about two hours daily to counteract muscle and bone loss. The absence of gravity means bones can weaken, losing about 1% of their density every month. While exercise is crucial, it can also lead to injuries, with hand injuries occurring frequently during workouts.
Experts believe the recent evacuation highlights advancements in space medicine. According to Dr. Sarah Murray at the Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory, ongoing research is necessary for improving astronaut health. Partnerships with organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency focus on developing better exercise protocols and medical care, particularly as missions extend beyond Earth’s orbit.
One remarkable case from 2020 involved a blood clot discovered in an astronaut during a routine ultrasound. The astronaut was treated with guidance from Earth without any symptoms, illustrating the effectiveness of telemedicine in space.
The Crew-11 incident reminds us that while medical protocols in space are strong, challenges remain. As we consider future deep-space missions, integration of Artificial Intelligence in medical care could play a significant role. Space remains a challenging frontier for human health, proving that sometimes, there’s truly no place like home.
For more on astronaut health in space, you can explore the insights from NASA on Earth Independent Medical Operations.
