How does NASA ensure that astronauts going into space for months at a time don’t get sick?

Question

I assume the astronauts are healthy, thoroughly vetted by doctors, trained in basic medical principles, and have basic medical supplies on board.

But what happens if they get appendicitis or kidney stones or some other acute onset problem?

In: 2048

Answer 1

There is no such thing as an absolute insurance that someone who goes into space won’t get sick. They take steps to reduce risk and if a medical emergency occurs that can’t be resolved in space, then they simply bring the astronaut back to Earth. Time in space is tracked. Space is not hospitable to the human body. For example, after a lengthy exposure to zero gravity bone structure alters. Over exposure can have long-term health effects.