ABSTRACT
Space is a unique, isolated and extreme environment with terrestrial analogues used for surrogate training. Space medicine combines many medical specialties to mitigate effects of spaceflight on human physiology and prevent and treat problems associated with living in space environment. Space motion sickness affects 66–95% of crew members; 10% cases severe. Symptoms range from loss of appetite to nausea and vomiting. In-flight changes in neural feedback function produce postural imbalance and loss of coordination post-flight. Aetiology of spaceflight-induced alterations in immune response may include microgravity, radiation, stress response, and other undetermined causes. All crew members affected to various degrees. Post-flight symptoms range from vertigo and gait instability to nausea and vomiting. Changes in crew mood and morale affect virtually all crew members to some degree. Crew members are radiation workers with limits for mission and career exposure.
