Research Gaps and Opportunities in Sensor-Based Medical Exploration Capabilities in Extravehicular Astronaut Suits

Abstract

NASA’s Human Research Program has identified the need to improve their capability to predict estimated medical risks during exploration missions, as well as the need to provide computed medical decision support while minimizing medical resource utilization. From May 2017 through October 2017, a research team with the University of Mississippi Electrical Engineering Department conducted interviews with a dozen NASA personnel from the Human Research Program, Life Support Systems Technology Development, Game Changing Development Program, the Wyle Science, Technology and Engineering Group, and MEI Technologies. This report outlines the challenges and gaps identified as a result of these interviews in the Human Research Roadmap towards implementing a sensor-based medical monitoring system in EVA suits, as well as the opportunities in pursuing solutions towards these challenges. We describe the knowledge gaps in determining a clear definition for which measurable EVA suit environment and astronaut medical conditions are mission critical. We detail the current principle and special challenges of monitoring mission critical measurables in micro-gravity and zero-gravity environments with respect to their sensing ability. We then propose a three-stage research framework for meeting these objectives that is robust in scope, yet partitioned such that innovations or setbacks in one stage will not unduly harm progress. First, identifying a set mission critical measurable will enable innovations in sensor networks in EVA suits. We discuss proposed approaches to monitoring astronaut health and environments and relevant gaps. The second stage is using data from the sensor network as inputs to algorithms for determining when mission-critical parameters have been violated, as well as priorities for reporting that information. The third research area focuses on secure and reliable delivery of sensor information to the IV crewmembers, along with rendering of mission-critical information in a Heads-Up Display (HUD) worn by the astronaut. We discuss the current status of HUD technology in EVA suits and the challenges towards advancing that technology for mission deployment. We also discuss challenges in how the astronaut and IV crewmembers will utilize logged health and tracking information operationally. Finally, the status of the work already conducted under the proposed research framework is discussed.