27 October 2014 “Healthcare of ESA Astronauts in Space and on Earth” London

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The effects of microgravity on fluid distribution around the body (greatly exaggerated). NASA
The effects of microgravity on fluid distribution around the body (greatly exaggerated). NASA

I’ll be going to this if I haven’t left for the IAC 2014 yet. (Erm, note to self: book IAC flights today!)

From the relevant RAES Event website:

Healthcare of European Space Agency Astronauts in Space and on Earth
Monday, 27 October 2014 18:00 – 20:00
Dr Volker Damann, Head of the Space Medicine Office, European Space Agency
Royal Aeronautical Society HQ, London view map

This lecture will be given by Dr Volker Damann, Head of the Space Medicine Office at the European Space Agency.

Please note that this lecture was originally going to take place on 13th October but has now been moved to Monday 27th October 2014.

Astronauts spend days, sometimes weeks and months, in space. They are provided with a habitat, with food and other resources and have been trained for all potential issues, malfunctions and off-nominal situations. But what happens if an astronaut gets sick or is severely injured? Most likely, a physician will not be on board and the return to earth may not be possible or will be delayed. How are the astronauts prepared for medical emergencies? What medical diagnostic infrastructure is available and what therapy options exist in space? Can potential medical issues be excluded pre-flight and how are astronauts medically selected and kept fit and healthy during their career? Can we translate knowledge and experience from aviation medicine to space medicine?

Space Medicine is a very specific subspecialty of medicine since it usually deals with very healthy individuals, has to consider bridging distances and remote operations and has to take effects of weightlessness and harsh environmental conditions into account.

This presentation will explore the medical services provided to European astronauts and examine the challenges that come out of this, the training of astronauts and the medical health care providers. It will also conclude with a view of future space medicine on exploration class missions.

This lecture is being organised by the RAeS Aerospace Medicine Group.

All RAeS Lectures are free to attend and we welcome both Members and Non Members. To RSVP, please click the Register button under Key Details and log in to your profile or create a user account. Alternatively, send your name and contact details to [email protected] to reserve your place.

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Dr Jill Stuart is an academic based at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is an expert in the politics, ethics and law of outer space exploration and exploitation. She is a frequent presence in the global media (print, radio, television, documentary) and regularly gives lectures around the world. From 2013-2017 she was Editor in Chief of the Elsevier journal Space Policy where she remains on the Editorial Board. She is also on the Board of Advisors of METI International, conducting scientific research into messaging potential extraterrestrial intelligence. She is one of an elite number of people to be endorsed by the UK Home Office as an Exceptional Talent Migrant/ World Leader in her Field. In 2015 she was awarded the prestigious Margaret Mead Award Lecture by the British Science Association in recognition of her cutting edge research. She is trained in both domestic and international mediation and has done consultancy work for the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. She has a sub-specialism in women, peace and security and gender based violence. She is a Trustee of Luton All Women’s Centre.

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