Emergency rescue for astronauts 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.

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

Additionally, the crew could use 3D-printed medical equipment. If the crew have the same blood type, it would be easier to transfuse blood when needed, and the right blood type would 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 most of the body's physiological systems, 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