International Space Surgery Research Consortium

Our Mission

At the International Space Surgery Research Consortium (ISSRC), we are pioneering the future of surgical innovation in space. As humanity prepares to go back to the Moon to stay, and onto Mars, and beyond, the ability to perform safe, effective, and autonomous surgical procedures in microgravity and resource-limited environments is critical. Our mission is to bridge the gap between terrestrial surgical expertise and the unique challenges for human health and wellbeing in space, ensuring that future astronauts have access to life-saving interventions, no matter how far from Earth they travel. We believe that the challenges of spaceflight push the boundaries of human innovation, and that our work will not only shape the future of space surgery, but also revolutionise emergency and trauma care in extreme environments worldwide.

Current projects

1 – Wound-Healing and Onboard Care During Long-Duration Human Deep Space Exploration from a Surgical Perspective through the lens of a scoping review (published).

2 – Navigating Vascular Emergencies in Human Deep Space Exploration: A Review of the Significance of Vascular Surgery and Advanced Endovascular Therapy Insights (review in progress).

3 – Traditional Surgical Methods and Cutting-Edge Techniques: Pioneering Endovascular Surgery in Long-Duration Human Space Exploration (in data collection phase).

4 – Effects of the Space Environment on Critical Mission Tasks: Evaluating Procedural Performance during Deep-Space Missions (review in progress).

5 – Pioneering Space Surgeons: Matching Skills to Mission Needs – Determining the Essential Surgical Expertise for Mars Missions (review in progress).

6 – PhD project: Bridging Earth and Space: Clinical Expertise from High-Volume Aortic Centers with Complex Endovascular Cases and Implementation of Vascular Surgery Techniques in Extreme Environments – Translating Terrestrial Expertise to the Final Frontier.

7 – The current state of knowledge regarding the development,
risk factors, vascular surgical implications and management strategies for atherosclerosis in
spaceflight environments (review in progress).

8 – Rehabilitation as part of the perioperative journey in space (review in progress).

9 – Perioperative care of the space surgical patient as a holistic concept – exploring an integrated system of care for the “before”, “during”, and “after” of the patient journey. (Concept developed, paper in preparation, proposed ongoing project.)