Health Risk Assessment for Extended Space Missions.

Abstract

Health hazards in space increase with mission duration, crew size, orbit altitude and the complexity of the operation. These parameters and the time required for rescue determine the necessary degree of actions to be taken for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of medical incidents. For the assessment of health risk during space missions, a risk criticality matrix was defined with 3 levels in each of the two dimensions. Probabilities were compared and rank-orders of occurrence and severity established. Extensive data were accumulated from previous US- and USSR missions. In addition, health insurance data of a normal German population were made accessible and transformed to comparable figures. Results exhibit considerable differences between the various populations when compared in general. There is consistent agreement when the populations are compared in specific diagnostic categories (digestive and respiratory systems). As to the severity of health risks, it can be concluded that the probability of a life-threatening medical event is low. There is much evidence that medical incidents likely to occur are of minor severity.