Enabling Human Space Exploration Missions Through Progressively Earth Independent Medical Operations (EIMO)

• Published in: IEEE open journal of engineering in medicine and biology Vol. 4; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Levin, Dana R., Steller, Jon, Anderson, Arian, Lemery, Jay, Easter, Benjamin, Hilmers, David C., Lehnhardt, Kris R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Johnson Space Center IEEE 01.01.2023; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Aerospace Medicine; Astronauts; Deep space; Earth; ExMC; Exploration; Health services; Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration; Mars; Medical diagnostic imaging; Medical services; Moon; NASA; Risk management; Risk reduction; Space exploration; Space Medicine; Space missions; Space vehicles; Exmc; Mars; Space Medicine; Nasa; ExMC; space medicine; NASA; Aerospace medicine
• ISSN: 2644-1276; 2644-1276
• DOI: 10.1109/OJEMB.2023.3255513

Goal : Current Space Medicine operations depend on terrestrial support to manage medical events. As astronauts travel to destinations such as the Moon, Mars, and beyond, distance will substantially limit this support and require increasing medical autonomy from the crew. This paper defines Earth Independent Medical Operations (EIMO) and identifies key elements of a conceptual EIMO system. Methods: The NASA Human Research Program Exploration Medical Capability Element held a 2-day conference at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX with NASA experts representing all aspects of Space Medicine. Results: EIMO will be a process enabling progressively resilient deep space exploration systems and crews to reduce risk and increase mission success. Terrestrial assets will continue to provide pre-mission screening, planning, health maintenance, and prevention, while onboard medical care will increasingly be the purview of the crew. Conclusions: This paper defines and describes the key components of EIMO.