AP did a cool thing. Using the Freedom of Information Act they took a look at NASA’s plans for dealing with people on long trips to places like Mars. I mean, it is obvious that they have been thinking about this sort of thing — they’ve been employing ethicists for years — and, heck, everyone has been asking these questions. What do you do with the body when someone dies along the way to Mars? How will that affect the crew? What about sex? (That’s the FIA request that needs to be made!)
Good questions, but sadly little way in answers:
The document does spell out some health policies in detail, such as how much radiation astronauts can be exposed to from space travel (No more radiation than the amount that would increase the risk of cancer by 3 percent over the astronaut’s career) and the number of hours crew members should work each week (No more than 48 hours).
But on other topics — such as steps for disposing of the dead and cutting off an astronaut’s medical care if he or she cannot survive — the document merely says these are issues for which NASA needs a policy.
I can see why they might be a bit squeamish in spelling out a policy, but this sort of thing needs to happen, I’d think.