18th IAA Humans in Space Symposium (2011)
2255.pdf
The Space Medicine Exploration Medical Condition List
S. D. Watkins M.D., M.P.H.; Y. R. Barr M.D., M.P.H.; E. L. Kerstman M.D., M.P.H
The University of Texas Medical Branch
The Space Medicine Exploration Medical Condition List (SMEMCL) was created in order to define the set of
medical conditions that are most likely to occur during exploration spaceflight missions. The list was derived from
the International Space Station (ISS) medical checklist, the Space Shuttle (STS) medical checklist, Longitudinal
Study of Astronaut Health (LSAH) in-flight occurrence data, and NASA Flight Surgeon subject matter experts. The
list of conditions was further prioritized for seven specific design reference missions as defined by the Constellation
Program with the assistance of the ExMC Advisory Group, which included flight surgeons and representatives from
the astronaut office, Space Medicine Division management, and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute.
The purpose of the SMEMCL is to serve as an evidence-based foundation in determining which medical conditions
could affect a crewmember during a given mission profile, which of those conditions would be of concern and
require treatment, and for which conditions a gap in knowledge or technology development exists. This information
will then be used to focus research efforts and technology development.