Introduction. Human space flight support (HSFS) has been a DOD mission since the establishment of NASA in 1958. Medical support is a key component of this mission, including the provision of urgent and emergent healthcare to astronauts and other space flight personnel during routine operations and mishaps.

Providing high-quality care in these circumstances requires training for demanding, high-intensity, rare operations. However, full mission profile (FMP) training for the mission is highly expensive and logistically complex, requiring medics and equipment to be dropped into the ocean for simulated capsule recovery. In this work, we developed an immersive virtual reality (IVR) medical simulation capability to broaden access to FMP-style simulation training across the full spectrum of special warfare medics who may be deployed for the HSFS mission.

Methods. An interdisciplinary working group consisting of emergency physicians, space operational medicine experts, instructional designers, and IVR engineers was formed. The working group first determined a set of space medicine scenarios to implement in IVR. Then, a set of mission-specific platforms and environments with associated sets, kits, outfits, and equipment were specified. The specified materials were then implemented and iteratively refined using a previously developed IVR platform (VRMSS, SimX, Inc.).

Results. Ten scenarios ranging from normal operations to severe injuries and mishaps were specified, implemented, and refined within the IVR system. Virtual capsule replicas were developed in pad and ocean recovery environments. Aerial and naval platforms were implemented, including the C-130, HH-60, Rigging Alternate Method Zodiac, and Advanced Rescue Craft. A complete equipment and outfit set was implemented, including 175 tools and equipment sets.

Conclusions. A comprehensive IVR-based medical simulation capability for space operational medical support was developed for virtual FMP training. The resulting capability is currently being integrated into special warfare medicine training and may also have applicability to civilian commercial space flight programs.

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Dr. Nilesh Patel