Human Systems Integration Division @ NASA Ames

The major health hazards of spaceflight include exposure to microgravity, higher levels of damaging radiation, extended periods of isolation and confinement, a closed and potentially hostile living environment, and the stress associated with being a long distance from Earth. As we increase the duration of lunar stays with foreseeable communication latencies and disruptions, there will be a progressive need for crew to maintain their own health and independently respond to critical medical events. The Exploration Medical Capability element of the NASA Human Research Program has developed a set of Medical System requirements for lunar orbit and surface operations. These requirements specify the capabilities, processes and procedures of a habitat Medical System needed for the diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions known to occur during spaceflight. Requirement text is written so as not to constrain innovative design solutions necessary for a resilient system. The requirement set includes attributes and functions the Medical System imposes on additional habitat systems. Although these requirements were specifically developed for lunar surface and orbital operations, they provide a foundation to identify Medical System requirements for other space habitats (e.g., I-Hab, commercial endeavors, etc.).