Latest news with #RussianSpaceAgency
News18
a day ago
- Health
- News18
What If An Astronaut Gets Sick In Space? This Is NASA's Plan
Last Updated: Though not every crew has a certified doctor onboard, each mission designates one astronaut as the Crew Medical Officer (CMO), typically someone who has undergone medical training By June 2025, more than 280 astronauts from over 20 countries have set foot aboard the International Space Station (ISS), spending weeks and months orbiting Earth in microgravity. While the focus of these missions often lies in scientific experiments and global collaboration, the reality is that astronauts are human, and humans get sick. But what happens when illness strikes hundreds of kilometres above the Earth's surface? There are no traditional hospitals in space, no emergency rooms or surgeons on standby. Yet space agencies have meticulously prepared for the possibility of medical crises. From minor ailments like toothaches and skin rashes to potentially life-threatening conditions, astronauts are trained to respond, and the ISS is equipped to assist. Though not every crew has a certified doctor onboard, each mission designates one astronaut as the Crew Medical Officer (CMO), typically someone who has undergone extensive medical training, even if they're not a physician. They're supported by a well-stocked medical kit and guided, when needed, by ground-based experts. The ISS medical kit includes: When Ground Support Becomes Life Support Should a serious medical condition arise, astronauts don't face it alone. Real-time video and audio communication allows doctors at NASA's Mission Control in Houston to provide live telemedical assistance. Using biometric data transmitted from the ISS and step-by-step guidance, they can instruct the onboard crew on procedures. But when a situation becomes critical, beyond the capability of onboard treatment, the contingency plan kicks in: emergency evacuation. The ISS always has at least one Soyuz or SpaceX Dragon capsule docked, capable of performing what's known as a Contingency Return. In such cases, the ailing astronaut can be transported back to Earth in just 3-5 hours, typically landing in the Kazakh steppe. Once on the ground, they're swiftly transferred to facilities like NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston or the Russian Space Agency's medical centre for comprehensive care. Still, this measure is considered a last resort. The priority is always to manage the condition onboard, because the physical strain of re-entering Earth's gravity can worsen some medical issues. In the ISS's 20-plus years of operation, no astronaut has ever had to be evacuated due to a medical emergency. There have been a few incidents worth noting: In 2013, an astronaut experienced kidney stone symptoms, but medication helped manage the pain until he returned to Earth. In 2020, a Russian cosmonaut developed an infection and was successfully treated with antibiotics onboard. Other common complaints have included back pain, rashes, toothaches, and eye irritation, all resolved in orbit. Despite the odds, astronauts undergo thorough health screenings before missions, reducing the likelihood of serious conditions surfacing in space. But microgravity presents its own set of risks. Common Health Risks In Space The following conditions are known to be more likely during long-duration missions: Robots and AI Doctors Looking ahead to longer missions – especially to the Moon or Mars – NASA, ESA, and private partners like SpaceX are investing in automated robotic doctors, telemedicine, and AI-assisted diagnostics. Since immediate return won't be an option for deep-space missions, these technologies could prove vital. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : International Space Station nasa Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: June 26, 2025, 14:56 IST News world What If An Astronaut Gets Sick In Space? This Is NASA's Plan
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Ax-4 opens doors for space stations, commercial missions
BENGALURU: The successful launch of the commercial space mission Axiom-4 is not just a good learning experience for the two Indian astronauts who are part of it, but it has also opened the doors of opportunity for private space agencies to launch more such, said experts and former ISRO officials. They said India made a smart deal by investing Rs 551 crore in the Ax-4 mission as the two astronauts -- Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair -- have had hands-on learning, which can be used to better the Gaganyaan mission and design of the spacecrafts. Pointing to one of the reasons for the delay in the launch of the mission, a gas leak in the Zvezda Space Module of Russian Space Agency Roscosmos, experts said it is time to explore the creation of more space stations as the International Space Station is getting old. The instruments it has are now outdated as it was built over 15 years ago, and needs a lot of maintenance. Moon Man of India and former ISRO director Mylswamy Annadurai said space is now no longer confined to a few countries or the government. Private individuals and companies are also playing a role. This mission should now be used as a learning curve to create more space stations, and ISRO should grab the opportunity as it is already working on the Bharatiya Antariksh Mission. Annadurai said with water on the moon, India can take the lead in creating another space station in collaboration with other space agencies. This has come as a good opportunity. Jatan Mehta, an independent space writer and expert, said India and the US had a deal for cooperation on advanced astronaut training for human spaceflight missions, and the Ax-4 mission was part of the package. The feedback the astronauts provide is of vital importance for India's own future Gaganyaan missions, especially for the design and functioning of crew capsules. Another expert from ISRO, seeking anonymity, said since Shukla is onboard the spacecraft, the knowledge he will bring will include how the spacecraft can be better designed, and the mission and experiments be enhanced. At the same time, Nair, who was also trained and is stationed at the base, has observed the same developments from a different angle. His learning will help improve coordination with the spacecraft and base stations. The two will have different perspectives on the same issue, which will only make India's space missions better. The expert said while this is a private and commercial mission, India too should take up such missions and for short durations. Shukla and Nair can take the lead in this with the ISRO team stationed in Florida ahead of the launch and during the tests.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Axiom-4 launch: Space station leak concerns can further delay lift-off of mission carrying Indian Gaganyatri
The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, which is expected to carry four astronauts to the International Space Station, has already faced postponement four times. Now, a new concern has emerged for India's Shubhanshu Shukla, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Poland's Sławosz Uznański and Hungary's Tibor Kapu. Shukla will be only the second Indian astronaut in space, after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. The launch of Axiom-4 has been postponed indefinitely owing to concerns of a leak reported from the International Space Station. Owing to the issue, NASA said Thursday that it would monitor the cabin pressure on the Russian side of the ISS before the mission is launched. However, NASA assured that the seven astronauts already in the ISS were safe, adding that operations on the space station can not be affected following the leak. The cabin pressure leak on the Zvezda service module is being handled by the country's space agency. However, recent repairs to resolve the issue led to 'a new pressure signature', according to NASA. However, no other details on the issue have been provided yet. However, the delay of Axiom-4 opens up time for NASA and the Russian Space Agency to carry out evaluations and see whether there is a need for more repairs. The three Russian astronauts who are currently on the space station had already inspected the walls of the service module, sealing a few areas and finding out the current leak rate. The mission was postponed for the fourth time on Wednesday evening. It will carry a four-member crew on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS. This includes Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, who is the mission pilot, Peggy Whitson, the mission commander, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański and Tibor Kapu. The launch was initially scheduled for May 29. Speaking on the delay, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman V Narayanan said that a leakage had been detected in the propulsion bay.
12-06-2025
- Science
Space station leak concerns will delay visit by astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A chartered spaceflight for India, Poland and Hungary's first astronauts in decades has been delayed indefinitely because of leak concerns at the International Space Station. NASA said Thursday that it wants to monitor the cabin pressure on the Russian side of the orbiting lab before accepting visitors. Officials stressed that the seven astronauts currently at the space station are safe and that other operations up there aren't affected. SpaceX was supposed to launch four private astronauts this week on a 14-day space station mission, but bad weather and SpaceX rocket trouble delayed the flight. Then the station leak issue cropped up. The Russian Space Agency has been dealing with a cabin pressure leak at the station, and recent repairs resulted in what NASA calls 'a new pressure signature.' Additional details were not immediately available. The three Russians aboard the space station recently inspected the inside walls of the aging Zvezda service module, which was launched in 2000. They sealed some areas and measured the current leak rate. 'Following this effort, the segment now is holding pressure,' NASA said in an online update. The private mission's delay provides extra time for NASA and the Russian Space Agency 'to evaluate the situation' and determine whether more repairs are needed. The chartered flight was arranged by the Houston company Axiom Space, and was to be Axiom's fourth trip to the space station with paying customers since 2022. 'This is the right thing to do,' Axiom Space's executive chairman Kam Ghaffarian said in a written statement. 'We will continue to work with all of our partners to finalize a new launch date.' The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Space station leak concerns will delay visit by astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary
A chartered spaceflight for India, Poland and Hungary's first astronauts in decades has been delayed indefinitely because of leak concerns at the International Space Station. NASA said Thursday that it wants to monitor the cabin pressure on the Russian side of the orbiting lab before accepting visitors. Officials stressed that the seven astronauts currently at the space station are safe and that other operations up there aren't affected. SpaceX was supposed to launch four private astronauts this week on a 14-day space station mission, but bad weather and SpaceX rocket trouble delayed the flight. Then the station leak issue cropped up. The Russian Space Agency has been dealing with a cabin pressure leak at the station, and recent repairs resulted in what NASA calls 'a new pressure signature.' Additional details were not immediately available. The three Russians aboard the space station recently inspected the inside walls of the aging Zvezda service module, which was launched in 2000. They sealed some areas and measured the current leak rate. 'Following this effort, the segment now is holding pressure,' NASA said in an online update. The private mission's delay provides extra time for NASA and the Russian Space Agency 'to evaluate the situation' and determine whether more repairs are needed. The chartered flight was arranged by the Houston company Axiom Space, and was to be Axiom's fourth trip to the space station with paying customers since 2022. 'This is the right thing to do,' Axiom Space's executive chairman Kam Ghaffarian said in a written statement. 'We will continue to work with all of our partners to finalize a new launch date.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
