X-Message-Number: 19254
From: "Brett Bellmore" <>
Subject: re: 19245: Did you miss one Brett? [James Swayze]
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 05:53:59 -0400

No, I didn't miss one. I considered the use of suspended animation to deal
with a medical emergency in flight, and rejected it.

First, it's not "necessary" for the mission, just something that would be
handy to have. It in no way contributes to the success of the mission. So it
falls into the "handy if it were available" catagory, but isn't something
NASA would put out big bucks to obtain.

Second, any form of suspended animation is likely to require at least some
equipment, and I believe NASA has made the judgement that they'd be better
off devoting that equipment to better medical facilities on the ship, (They
ARE pursuing very miniaturized medical equipment quite actively.) and simply
accept the fact that some medical problems would result in an astronaut's
death. Even as some medical problems result in a person's death here on
earth!

So you see, it's not actually a use of suspended animation which is
necessary for the mission, or peculiar to space, it's just regular cryonics.
And if NASA doesn't include cryonics in their health coverage for employees
on Earth, why do it for the astronauts?

Brett Bellmore

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