Space Medicine and AI: Past, Present, Future

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving intersection between Space Medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI), tracing its journey from nascent conceptualizations to its current state and projecting future trends. For the purposes of this overview, only specific currently available AI methodologies will be used. These include Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Convolution Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks, and Natural Language Processing. Initially, this exploration delves into the historical context, examining how early space missions recognized the need for medical monitoring and support, and the rudimentary role early forms of AI played in these stages. The paper then transitions to the present, highlighting current advancements where AI has become integral in diagnosing and managing health issues in space, optimizing life support systems, and enhancing astronauts’ physical and psychological well-being. Significant focus is placed on current AI-driven technologies, such as predictive algorithms for health risks, robotic surgical tools, and AI-assisted mental health support. Looking ahead, the paper explores potential future developments, envisioning a scenario where AI not only augments space medicine but becomes a critical component in long-duration interplanetary missions. This includes AI’s role in autonomous medical systems, personalized medicine, and in addressing the unique challenges of deep space travel. The paper concludes with a discussion on the ethical, logistical, and technical challenges that lie ahead, emphasizing the need for robust, ethically guided AI frameworks to ensure the safety and health of astronauts as humanity ventures further into the cosmos.