As human spaceflight enters a new era, new training programs are being developed to prepare astronauts for performing medical procedures while thousands of miles away from Earth. In the coming decade, there will be more people in space than ever before, with NASA, the European Space Agency, and other governmental agencies partnering to develop crewed missions beyond the moon.
Private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Sierra Space are also playing a significant role in driving down the cost of space exploration by developing reusable boosters, automated flight systems, and lightweight materials to support deep space missions. Some of these companies even have plans to establish private space stations, moon bases, or mining operations in the future.
However, as space exploration becomes more accessible, new challenges arise, particularly in maintaining the health and performance of astronaut crews. Researchers at the University of Colorado and other institutions worldwide are working to address these emerging medical challenges.
While NASA astronauts undergo extensive medical and psychological testing, ensuring they are among the healthiest and most accomplished individuals, the rise of commercial space missions means that private crews with less training and potentially more chronic medical conditions will make up the majority of space travelers in the future.
Experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station have provided valuable insights into the physiological changes that occur in weightlessness, but there is limited data on how common chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure behave in space. With the increasing industry boom, opportunities for long-duration missions to the moon and Mars are on the horizon.
