Emergency and rescue considerations for manned space missions

Emergencies in Space

“…27,35,36 In the event of an emergency on the shuttle, the mission could be aborted and the patient returned promptly to Earth to receive expert medical attention. 1,27,35,36 The crew member with the medical training would be responsible for stabilization of the patient before and during reentry. The situation is different for an emergency that occurs aboard a space station.…”

“…1,18 Hence, it was important that International Space Station planning include consideration of an emergency return vehicle. 36,37 Currently, the International Space Station is using a modified Russian Soyuz capsule attached to the station to be used in the event of an emergency evacuation. The capsule has a habitable volume of approximately 3 m 3 shared among 3 crewmembers.…”

Surviving Atmospheric Spacecraft Breakup

“…Under normal operating conditions, spacecraft and life-support systems are designed to protect occupants from lethal events associated with exposure to the atmosphere and the lack thereof. 9 Travel away from the Earth's surface results in a progressive loss of atmospheric pressure, an increased potential for exposure to ionizing ra…”

“…Under normal operating conditions, spacecraft and lifesupport systems are designed to protect occupants from lethal events associated with exposure to the atmosphere and the lack thereof. 9 Travel away from the Earth's surface results in a progressive loss of atmospheric pressure, an increased potential for exposure to ionizing ra- diation, and a temperature cycling as crews travel through the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. 10 Spacecraft have carried crews to a number of operational distances from the Earth's surface, thereby exposing crews to different potential stressors.…”

“…Under normal operating conditions the spacecraft and life support systems are designed to protect animals from lethal events (2). Thus, the longer the spacecraft and life support systems survive breakup the more likely it is that breakup is survivable.…”