Astronaut rescue in space

Astronauts in space face many problems such as broken bones, blood clots or radiation exposure.

Astronauts must always be prepared to face illness or injury while on board a spacecraft. Photo: NASA.

If a medical emergency arises on the journey to Mars, such as a broken bone or a blood clot, astronauts will have to be nimble with the limited equipment on board the spacecraft, according to Seeker, a difficult task even for experienced doctors.

When flying to Mars, even doctors could get sick on the trip. Komorowski advocates several ways to deal with such a situation. First, astronauts should be trained in at least basic medical skills. Second, there should be a continuous medical support and advice system from Earth.

In addition, the crew can use medical equipment made with 3D printing technology. If the crew has the same blood type, it will be easier to transfuse blood when needed, and the right type of blood will always be available to everyone.

"During long-haul flights, there is a risk of serious medical problems and surgeries that could cost the lives of the crew. Exposure to the space environment disrupts almost all physiological systems in the body, triggering many specific diseases such as cardiovascular failure, acute radiation syndrome, osteoporosis and fractures, and decompression sickness," said Matthieu Komorowski, consultant in intensive care and anaesthesia at Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.

"In future space exploration, astronauts must be prepared to deal with incurable diseases or injuries beyond treatment," Komorowski said.

According to VNE