Medical Requirements for a Mars Mission

By: Marlo S. Graves

University of Houston, SICSA

Masters in Space Architecture

Crew Composition

– Crew Size – 8

– Duration of Trip• Transfer time–183 days

• Mars stay – 365 days

– Skills Required

– Medical

• General Practitioner – 2

• Surgeon – 2

• Dental – 2

• Counselor – 1

–Engineer

•Electrical – 2

•Software – 2

•Technical/Mechanical – 3

•Nuclear – 2

–Scientists

•Geologist/Areologist – 2

•Biologist – 1

•Chemist – 1

•Farming/Agronomist – 2

•Materials - 1

Common Ailments during Long Duration Missions

• Space motion sickness• Injuries – bruises and sprains• Eye problems• Nasal congestion and bleeding• Respiratory problems - bronchitis• Middle ear inflammations• Skin disorders• Toothache• Gastrointestinal disorders – nausea, vomiting• Nervous system and mental disorders – depression, sleep disorders,

hallucinations• Heart problems• Radiation exposure

Size of Medical Kits

• Apollo 16 7kg

• Shuttle 14 kg 0.15 cm3

• Skylab 45 kg 0.22 m3

• Freedom (study)460 kg 1.7 m3

• Mars 2000kg 10m3(per vehicle)

Allocation of Medical Supplies

• 20% for Fatal Injuries

• 30% for Workability

• 50% for Comfort

Types of Kits

• Microscope• Hematology/urinalysis • Microbiology• I.V. Fluids• Drug • Minor surgery• Dental • Diagnostic • Bandage

Diagnostic Equipment

• Ultrasound

• Dosimeters

Microgravity Countermeasures

• Treadmill

• IRED – resistive exercise device

• Negative pressure suit

• Amount of exercise required per day – 2 hrs

Design Issues

• Part of ceiling free from equipment• Orienting patients in 3-D• Inadequate volume for storage• No dedicated and private hygiene facility• Crowded conditions• Low area lighting and poor portable lighting• Limited accessibility to hardware

Future issues to discuss

• Experiments to conduct

• Laboratory equipment

• Effects of partial gravity• Effects of varying gravity environments on

the body(Descent into Mars 5g’s. Crew will probably be unconscious)

• Waste storage

General Equipment List

        Ventilation Equipment Defibrillation Equipment         Surgical Supplies         Anesthesia         Dental Equipment         Pharmaceuticals with a Shelf Life of 3-5 Years         Wound Dressing         Splints         Reusable Needles and Intravenous (IV) Materials         Ultrasound         Blood Products         Hyperbaric Treatment         Waste Storage

Large Medical Equipment Items

• Hyperbaric Chamber– 2.8 atmospheres, 100% oxygen– To treat decompression sickness– Make an entire module a hyperbaric chamber

• Refrigerator– For blood products

Monitoring Health

• ISS – ECLSS takes 2 racks in each module

• Ventilations– CO2 used as a measure– 6000-7000 parts per million on ISS– 13,000 parts per million – no health risks– CO2 not recycled – its exposed to space

Biomedical monitoring

• Should be noninvasive– Miniaturize sensors so they don’t interfere

• Daily– Measure exercise intensity & heart rate– Monitor sleep periods

• Measure quality of sleep & circadian rhythm

• Periodical monitoring– Metabolic gases, body temp etc

• Info sent to med officer, ground and crew member

EVA Biomedical Monitoring

• Measurements inside EVA suit– Air temp, humidity & suit pressure– Metabolic rate, skin temp

• External variables– Radiation type & dosage– External temperature

• Predict solar particle events by measuring:– X-ray, optical & radio frequency flares(these precede an SPE between 1hour or 1 day

Analysis of Water

• Benign microbes can be very hazardous to crew b/c of weakened immune system

• ISS data– 100 bacteria per 100ml

Summary

• An entire hospital is required

• Space no larger than walk-in closet available

• Preventative Care is the focus

• Crew compatibility is essential