ASEN 5016 Lecture 11: Operational Space
Medicine
OBJECTIVES
Space Medicine (pathology) differs from Space Physiology (adaptation)
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/30sept_spacemedicine.htm?list728635
Purpose
Selection and Training of Astronauts
Prevention of Health Hazards in Space
Countermeasures (~common ground between
Medicine and Physiology)
Treatment of injury or illness
Rehabilitation (postflight)
Main objectives of
Medical Operations
Healthy / happy crew
Support / drive medical evaluations & studies
Emergency / Contingency support
Pre/post & on-orbit support
CHeCS (Crew Health Crew System)
equipment Support
Support special operations: Extravehicular Activities
(EVA)
Personnel of Medical
Operations
Flight Surgeon / Crew Surgeon
Biomedical Flight Controller (BME)
Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG)
Behavioral Health Performance Group (BHPG)
Crew à Crew Medical Officer (CMO)
Expert support: engineers, scientists, medical
specialists
CHeCS: ISS Crew Health Care System
3 Major Systems
HMS: Health Maintenance System
CMS: Countermeasure System
EHS: Environmental Health System
CHeCS rack
Located in the Lab module
HMS: Health Maintenance
System
Defibrillator: modified Commercial Off-The-Shelf
(COTS)
CMRS: Crew Medical Restraint System
Patient stabilization & restraint
CMO restraint
Electrical isolation
Deployed via seat tracks
RSP: Respiratory Support Pack
100% O2 for conscious or unconscious patient
ALSP kit (Advanced Life Support Pack)
‘Bad day’ kit
Provides equipment for ACLS (Advanced Cardiac
Life Support & BTLS (Basic Trauma Life Support) protocols
AMP kit (Ambulatory Medical Pack)
Medicine cabinet
PCBA (Portable Clinical Blood Analyzer)
Surgical Supplies
Dental equipment
Bandages
Other medical equipment: urinary catheters
CCPK: Crew Contamination Protection Kit
Used in response to toxic release
Contents: gloves, dust mask, goggles, clean-up
mitts, tox decals, pH strips
SSE: Space Station Eyewash
Modified swimming
goggles
Stowed near hand-pump
water port
CMS: Countermeasures
System
TVIS: Treadmill with Vibration Isolation &
Stabilization
Motorized, 0-10 mph
Gyroscope: roll stabilization
Stabilizers: pitch stabilization
Records data for ground analysis
RED: Resistive Exercise Device
Versatile
Full range of motion
Mitigates muscle atrophy & bone loss
(EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!)
CEVIS: Cycle Ergometer with
Vibration Isolation System
Leg & arm ergometer
Isolator in each corner
Records data for ground analysis
MEC: Medical Equipment Computer
Supports onboard medical equipment & activities
HRM: Heart Rate Monitor
Watch & chest strap
BP/ECG (Blood Pressure/Electrocardiogram) Device
Supports on-orbit physical evaluations
EHS: Environmental
Health System
Radiation
Passive dosimeters
RAM (Radiation Area Monitor)
CPD (Crew Personal Dosimeter)
Crewmembers are
radiation workers!
Radiation Detectors
EV-CPDS
(Extravehicular-Charged Particle Directional Spectrometer)
Directions: Forward
(X+), Aft (X-), Zenith (Z+)
EVA accessible only
IV-CPDS (Intravehicular-Charged
Particle Directional Spectrometer)
Deployed direction:
dependent on Radiation group request
TEPC: Tissue Equivalent
Proportional Counter
Omni-directional
Tied to ISS Caution
& Warning System
Microbiology Sampling Kits
SSK: Surface Sampling Kit
Samples ISS surfaces for bacteria
& fungi
MAS: Microbial Air Sampler
Samples air for bacteria &
fungi
WMK: Water Microbial Kit
Samples drinking water for
bacteria
Toxicology
VOA: Volatile Organic Analyzer
In CHeCS
rack
GC/IMS
Analyzes for a predetermined list
of compounds
CSA-CP: Compound Specific
Analyzer-Combustion Product
COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf)
Analyzes: CO, HCl,
HCN, & O2
CDM: Carbon Dioxide Monitor
Analyzes: CO2
Return samplers
SSAS: Solid Sorbent Air Sampler
Entire unit no longer
flow due to bulkiness
Only w/ internal
tubes w/ a hand pump
FMK: Formaldehyde Monitor Kit
GSC: Grab Sample Container
Vacuum tube
Acoustic
Dosimeters
IAD: ISS Acoustic Dosimeter
Used to calculate a 24-hr average
sound level
SLM: Sound Level Meter
Provides a detailed sound
measurement
Instantaneous readings
Telemedicine
PMC: Private Medical Conference
Private conference w/ the crew
Scheduled weekly
Capabilities
Audio / video conference
Live private video downlink
Higher quality
No similar uplink capability
Electronic still photo downlink
Emergencies
Crewmembers are trained to handle all onboard emergencies
w/o ground support
Medical
Depress
Fire
Toxic release
Special Operations
EVA (Extravehicular Activity or space walk)
Pre-EVA
On-orbit medical & fitness
assessments
Medical conference
Hand / arm exercise
Prebreathe
protocol
During EVA
Monitor metabolic rates, ppO2,
ppCO2, EKG, & voice
Post-EVA
Medical conference
Special thanks to the Space Med Ops Team at NASA JSC for
providing the preceding information, especially Mr. Will Dishong
(April 2004).
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