Recommendations for the Design of Space Suit With Medical Evacuation Support Capability
- Paper number
IAC-06-A1.5.03
- Author
Mr. Matthew Killick, Lunar Explorers Society, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Vladimir Ivkovic, Institute for Anthropological Research (Zagreb, Croatia) & International Space University , Croatia
- Coauthor
Dr. Igor Gosev, International Space University (ISU), Croatia
- Year
2006
- Abstract
PURPOSE: Presently, no operational space suit is equipped to allow basic medical interventions on the wearer or measurement of his/her vital signs. Basic medical operations include non invasive procedures, such as monitoring of physiological parameters, and semi-invasive actions including injections and intravenous fluid delivery. Operational space suits are not designed to provide support during medical emergencies. The intention of this work is to make a number of simple recommendations for the design of a space suit which would allow for enhanced patient accessibility during emergency medical evacuations. With the expected increase of crewed mission operations required to fulfill the U.S. goal of exploration, a need arises for increased medical contingency support in space suit design. METHODS: A technical survey of existing operational space suits designs and medical emergency protocols has been conducted. The survey was conducted on available scientific literature, official documents, technical reports and interviews. RESULTS: Several technical solutions have been proposed based on the information gathered in the survey and weighted risk factors for medical emergencies collected by the U.S. and Russian space programs. Prototypes of the proposed technical solutions are being submitted for testing aboard the CNES microgravity experiment aircraft facility. Technical proposals include: suit architecture allowing maximum accessibility (silicone seal injection access point, simple don-doff procedures), physiological parameters monitoring (ECG, EEG, BP, peripheral oxygenation) and wireless relay, CONCLUSIONS: Current space suit designs do not provide in-flight medical support for the crew. In the future this capability will become increasingly more important due to the increased risks associated with long duration exploration missions and the related crew operations. Based on technical requirements survey and medical emergency incidence risk analysis, several technical solutions for an advanced space suit architecture have been proposed.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A1.5.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.