Human Spaceflight and Aviation Standards

Pre/Post-Flight Medical Care

Pre- and Postflight medical operations form the foundation of crewmember health and mission success. Prior to launch, crew surgeons focus on optimizing crew health, mitigating known medical risk, and prepare the crew for the physiological demands of spaceflight. These pre-flight medical operations include comprehensive medical assessments, planning of countermeasures, and readiness evaluation. Following landing, medical teams focus on monitoring the crew’s re-adaptation to gravity, evaluate the extent of deconditioning, and manage any mission-related changes. Pre- and Postflight medical operations protect the crew by ensuring the crew arrive to orbit healthy and return safely.

In-flight Medical Care

In-Flight medical care is a vital aspect of human spaceflight as it is important for crew safety, mission success, and post-flight crew recovery. Astronauts operate in a harsh and isolated environment that induces many physiological and psychological effects where immediate access to terrestrial medical treatment is not possible. Effective in-flight medical care ensures that any health concerns may be managed, further supporting the long-term health of the crew.