Sending humans to space is undeniably complex and risky. Over the past 60 years, 20 individuals have died in space-related incidents, including NASA shuttle accidents and other missions. Despite the intricacies of human spaceflight, the relatively low fatality count is noteworthy.
However, NASA's plans for Moon and Mars missions and the increasing routine of commercial space travel raise concerns about potential deaths during space journeys. This prompts the question: what is the protocol for handling a deceased individual's body in space?
Space Exploration: Handling Death on the Moon and Mars
Emmanuel Urquieta, a Professor of Space Medicine and Emergency Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, explains in an article in the Conversation that as a space medical doctor, he and his team at Translational Research Institute for Space Health are dedicated to ensure astronauts maintain optimal well-being.
Presently, the procedures for handling death in space are well-defined. On low-Earth-orbit missions like those aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the crew can swiftly return the deceased astronaut's body to Earth within hours via a capsule.
Similarly, if a death occurred on the Moon, the crew could bring the body back within a few days, following established NASA protocols. In such cases, the primary focus is ensuring the safe return of the remaining crew members.
However, if an astronaut were to pass away during the 300 million-mile journey to Mars, circumstances would change. The crew would likely continue the mission, and the deceased astronaut's body would return to Earth along with the crew at the mission's conclusion, potentially years later.
During this period, the body would be stored in a designated compartment or specialized body bag within the spacecraft, benefitting from the consistent temperature and humidity to aid preservation.
It is important to note that these scenarios only apply within pressurized environments, such as spacecraft or space stations. Stepping into space without a spacesuit would result in instant fatality due to the vacuum's lack of pressure and absence of breathable air.
Similarly, stepping onto the Moon or Mars without proper protection would lead to suffocation and the boiling of bodily fluids, given the Moon's minimal atmosphere and Mars's sparse oxygen levels.
Legal and Moral Challenges Amidst Space Tourism
Commercial spaceflight companies, like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, are providing space travel opportunities for civilians and celebrities. Unlike traditional astronauts who undergo extensive training and medical evaluations, space tourists might receive minimal pre-flight training and medical screening, raising concerns about potential risks.
As space travel becomes more diverse and the potential for establishing human bases on the moon and beyond increases, the question of what happens if someone dies in space gains importance.
According to Space.com, international space law assigns responsibility for supervising space activities to individual countries. In the United States, commercial spaceflights require licenses from the Federal Aviation Administration. If a death occurs during a commercial tourist spaceflight, the cause must be determined.
If mechanical failure is identified, further launches by the company might be suspended while an investigation is conducted. In cases where mechanical failure is ruled out, the duty of care by the commercial provider and their preventive measures would be evaluated.
Amid legal considerations, cultural and ethical aspects are also crucial. Short missions might return bodies to Earth for preservation. Longer journeys, like the ones going to Mars, might freeze bodies for storage. Space colonization might require body disposal due to ethical and practical issues.
Fictional methods like jettisoning bodies face real-world obstacles of debris and international objections. Burying bodies on planets risks contamination, and cremation poses challenges. Solutions will emerge, but ethics remain intricate, across cultures and laws, in humanity's space journey.
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