| Title: | Utility of wearable health devices for astronaut medical support: implications for future missions |
| Authors: | Scott Ritter, Author |
| Material Type: | ISU Individual Project |
| Publisher: | Illkirch-Graffenstaden (France) : International Space University, 2019 |
| Format: | 1 electronic resource (viii, 14 p.) / col. ill. |
| Bibliography note: | Includes bibliographical references |
| Languages: | English |
| Description: | Astronauts face numerous physiological changes in the space environment that pose risks to their health. These risks have consequences for both commercial astronauts and future long duration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO), particularly for lunar, deep space, and planetary visit missions. To mitigate these risks, space agencies are seeking ways to improve (1) space-based medical data collection systems, and (2) monitoring of astronaut physiological parameters in a minimally invasive manner. In particular, wearable health devices (WHDs) may provide solutions that address these problems. To assess this, this report reviews WHDs for astronaut medical support, considering vital sign measurement capabilities relevant to astronauts, system designs, use in space and analog environments, and potential challenges for use beyond LEO. Subject matter expert commentary from astronauts, a flight surgeon, engineers, and an investigator is then discussed. A case study of the Apple Watch—the most popular WHD—is then provided to assess its potential space applications. And finally, recommendations to address WHD implementation challenges and proposals for future research and development are discussed. Altogether, this report serves to inform decision makers within the space community about the potential for WHDs to mitigate risks for human space exploration. |
| ISU program : | Master of Space Studies |
| Format : | Online |
| Permalink: | https://isulibrary.isunet.edu/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=10701 |
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 Ritter, Scott_IPR (1.28MB) Adobe Acrobat PDF |
