Major hazards of human spaceflight
Astronauts face several key risks while living and working in space. These threats are managed through design, training, procedures, and medical countermeasures, but they remain primary concerns for mission planners.
Common risks include:
- Microgravity-induced bone and muscle loss.
- Radiation exposure from solar and cosmic sources.
- Launch, re-entry, and hardware failures.
- Psychological stress and isolation.
- Medical emergencies far from advanced care.
Mitigation strategies
- Regular exercise and nutritional countermeasures for bone and muscle health.
- Radiation monitoring, shielding strategies, and mission planning to avoid solar events.
- Robust systems engineering, redundancy, and stringent testing.
- Psychological support, crew selection, and structured schedules.
- Telemedicine, onboard medical kits, and emergency return procedures.
Managing these risks is central to mission design and crew training, especially for long missions beyond low Earth orbit where evacuation is not feasible.