2023-12-11 20:08:00
Title: What Happens When an Astronaut Dies in Space? A Space Doctor Has Ideas
Date: December 11, 2023, 7:08 p.m
Space exploration has always been a dangerous endeavor, with the risks involved often highlighted by the possibility of astronauts losing their lives during missions. Emmanuel Urquieta, a professor of space medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, recently discussed the challenges of dealing with death in space in an article for The Conversation.
Urquieta pointed out that in the more than 60 years of human space exploration, 20 astronauts have lost their lives, with tragic disasters such as the NASA space shuttle accidents in 1986 and 2003 claiming the lives of 14 astronauts. Despite these risks, NASA has ambitious plans to send a crew to the moon by 2025 and transport space travelers to Mars in the next decade.
The question of what happens when an astronaut dies in space is a complex one that requires careful consideration. On the International Space Station (ISS), for example, the body of a deceased crew member could be returned to Earth in a capsule within a few hours. However, if such a death were to occur on the month-long journey to Mars, the return to Earth, including the deceased, would take several years. In such a scenario, the body would need to be preserved by the constant temperature and humidity inside the spacecraft until it can be returned to Earth.
Urquieta also warned against burning the corpse or burying it on other celestial bodies, such as Mars, due to potential contamination risks. Instead, the best solution would be to store the body in a special bag and return it to Earth after the mission is completed.
Currently, there are no clear guidelines on how to handle a sudden death in space, and it is not just about treating the deceased astronaut’s body. Support for the remaining crew members and those left behind on Earth is also crucial. As space exploration continues and plans for colonization of other planets are pursued, finding answers to these outstanding questions becomes increasingly important.
While the risks and challenges of space exploration are great, the discussions and considerations brought forth by experts like Urquieta shed light on the complex issues that must be addressed as humanity ventures further into the cosmos.]
#dies #space