Extravehicular activity on the lunar surface: Mapping mitigation risk consequence for crew needing assistance or rescue

Abstract

The lunar environment presents unique challenges for human health and safety over the course of performing Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) during early Artemis missions. Medical conditions leading to an injured EVA crewmember needing assistance or rescue were analysed and correlated to established, defined consequence categories. Catastrophic conditions were identified, and three mitigation strategies were analysed to determine if there was a potential change in consequence with their application. Risk consequence across the mitigations were compared with each other and the original risk without mitigations. Mitigations were further evaluated in a broader context with prospective preventions to understand the design and risk trade space associated with an early Artemis EVA.