Dr. Farhan Asrar

Astronauts do have their medical kits and bags.

So it has like a whole bunch of like, let's say instruments that might be needed, medications that might be needed though as well.

And they would address, handle that situation, see what the issue is.

Someone got injured, someone's feeling dizzy or whatnot.

Once they address the situation it's looking at, can we resolve it then and there?

Or do we need further expertise?

So currently, let's say at the ISS, the International Space Station, they would then also connect with experts at Earth through remote medicine.

Basically, they're known as space flight surgeons.

So it's really getting their expertise, their insight, and then being guided by their assistance to, let's say, carry out the next steps.

And then depending on what can happen as in, can you resolve the situation?

So it's then and done, it's resolved.

Versus if it could be more complex, complicated, or basically something that we are not aware of could and become something much more worse, or a concern of becoming worse, that's when should we consider other aspects where we recently even heard about the medical evacuation that took place from the International Space Station.

On the whole, the plans are obviously mission specific.

However, I would say every mission has always a plan B, an abort mission or whatever, like in terms of emergency situations, in terms of how do we handle those, it's always there.

I think one of the best examples was the medical evacuation in space.

So even when that took place,

They were basically looking at plans that were all made up in terms of a long time ago, in terms of how do you address, let's say, a medical emergency in space.

And they were following those steps.

Obviously, the plans have to be more specialized with every mission, but on a whole, the structure, the framework is always there.

So it is looking at, can we basically...