Some Medical Issues and Technologies for Preserving Human Performance during Long-Duration Spaceflight

Abstract

This panel presentation will highlight several of the crucial areas that impact astronauts' ability to carry out mission tasks during long-duration spaceflight. We review some of the physiologic changes which occur during long-duration spaceflight, highlight how those changes may impact human performance, and note some of the technologies and countermeasures that will be required to combat these deleterious effects. As the missions become longer, medical and psychosocial/group dynamics issues become increasing important as potential “trouble spots” for disrupting mission operations. These important attributes that relate to human performance must be considered by mission architects, management, ground controllers and the astronauts themselves for safe, effective long-duration mission completion. An integrated systems engineering approach is urged as an important conceptual framework for addressing how to apply a wide variety of new medical, telemedicine, and informatics technologies to the various challenges that will be posed on long-duration spaceflight missions.