Expeditionary interventional radiology for human spaceflight: A framework for procedural autonomy beyond Earth
Jonathon Schutt1, Christopher Yeisley2, John Pavlus3
1Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Clinical Imaging
|June 13, 2026
Summary
Expeditionary interventional radiology offers image-guided, minimally invasive solutions for spaceflight medical emergencies. Research shows astronauts can perform key ultrasound tasks, supporting its feasibility for future exploration missions.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Medical imaging
- Minimally invasive procedures
Background:
- Long-duration spaceflight necessitates autonomous medical care due to evacuation and communication limitations.
- Conventional surgery is impractical in microgravity; imaging-based, minimally invasive techniques are preferred.
- Expeditionary interventional radiology (IR) is proposed for resource-constrained environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define expeditionary IR for spaceflight.
- To review the feasibility of image-guided procedures in microgravity.
- To identify research needs for autonomous IR beyond Earth.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on ultrasound use in microgravity.
- Analysis of analog studies on skill acquisition for non-specialists.
- Assessment of challenges for implementing IR in space.
Main Results:
- Astronauts can acquire diagnostic-quality ultrasound images in microgravity.
- Individuals with limited experience can learn essential ultrasound-guided tasks.
- Image-guided drainage, decompression, and vascular access are feasible strategies.
Conclusions:
- Expeditionary IR is a viable model for space exploration medical support.
- Further research is needed to address procedural ergonomics, equipment, and autonomy.
- Developing autonomous guidance tools is crucial for future missions.
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