As humans begin traversing the space beyond low earth orbit, medical needs will inevitably
arise. Governments and private spacefaring companies will soon find themselves collectively
problem solving how to triage and tend to the Artemis Generation as they navigate health,
wellness, and emergency medicine in short and long duration spaceflight. The space flight
mission will dramatically change the type of medical care required: medical care in low earth
orbit is different from what is required on week and month long missions to the Moon, and
extremely different from months to years long Mars missions. As such, adjustments for emergent
surgical events will present unique challenges. Traumatic injuries like complex open fractures
and appendectomies could present in a manner where speedy evacuation may not be possible
from the Moon and currently, not possible from Mars.
Innovative solutions utilizing minimally invasive surgical robotics are capable of tremendous
possibilities that question the need for a flight surgeon. The reusability and tailored construction
of 3D printed instrumentation and medications show promise for long duration spaceflight. In
addition, sterilization techniques that do not require steam sterilization such as UV and radiation
based techniques will be explored. Overall, a comprehensive approach to triaging and treating
medical emergencies requires extensive analysis.