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July 24

The challenge of space surgery

What are the main challenges of performing surgery in outer space? Have there been any actual attempts to do so either on animals or on humans (other than in fairly controversial Russian disaster movies), and if so, were they successful? 2601:646:8082:BA0:55D1:7827:9FF8:5400 (talk) 08:32, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The challenges in a zero-gravity setting are manifold. Surgery commonly induces some bleeding. In Earth-bound surgery, gravity keeps the blood from floating away. Free-floating blood droplets will present an unacceptable risk, so foolproof procedures need to be developed to prevent the blood or other bodily fluids from escaping. Free-floating surgical instruments are also not acceptable, but tethering them is awkward. AFAIK no surgery has been attempted under zero-gravity conditions, whether experimental or out of necessity. --Lambiam 10:40, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

What, not even cutting off a rat's tail, as claimed in the above-mentioned Russian movie? 2601:646:8082:BA0:55D1:7827:9FF8:5400 (talk) 11:11, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

(Zero) Gravity

Before the Russkies went and actually filmed a movie in space, how did moviemakers film zero-gravity scenes for older movies set in space (such as You Only Live Twice, Apollo 13, Moonraker, Deep Impact, Armageddon, Space Odyssey 2001 (what, no article?!), Mission to Mars and Gravity)? Did they film the scenes in the pool, or did they use the Vomit Comet, or what? 2601:646:8082:BA0:55D1:7827:9FF8:5400 (talk) 09:03, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The article is at 2001: A Space Odyssey. --Lambiam 10:15, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Space Odyssey 2001 was directed by Sham Lee Qbrick. Clarityfiend (talk) 11:02, 25 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

For some techniques, see 2001: A Space Odyssey § Zero-gravity effects and Technologies in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Other films have used CGI; see e.g. Gravity (2013 film) § Visual effects. --Lambiam 10:25, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The weightless scenes in Apollo 13 were filmed in short sections on a Reduced-gravity aircraft (see Apollo 13 (film)#Filming). Deor (talk) 13:47, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, the Vomit Comet as noted above. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:48, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]