In preparation for the Artemis IV moon landing in 2028, a United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) medical operations and contingency team recently visited the Level 1 trauma centre at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital.

Cape Town has historically played an important role in space exploration, serving as a key communications link and a designated potential contingency splashdown site.

“As humanity looks outward once again towards the Artemis missions, that spirit of global cooperation continues,” says Dr J.D. Polk, chief health and medical officer, who led the delegation to the trauma centre and the Netcare 911 base.

The spacecraft used for the upcoming NASA-led mission will have the option to land in the ocean off the Cape coastline if the mission needs to be aborted after take-off. This is part of meticulous contingency planning for any eventuality, including the possible need for high quality emergency medical care.

Dr Polk was accompanied by Dr Sharmi Watkins, NASA Johnson Space Center’s deputy chief medical officer; Travis Houser, NASA’s Medical Operations Contingency Coordination Group Lead; and representatives from the US Consulates General in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

At the hospital, the delegation met with trauma director Prof Andrew Nicol, trauma surgeon Dr Sanju Sobnach, the trauma and emergency team, and Netcare 911’s regional and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) representatives.

Dr Polk emphasised the importance of Cape Town’s medical and trauma capabilities in supporting NASA’s contingency planning for the upcoming crewed lunar mission.

“We are grateful for your help, as Cape Town remains designated as a contingency splashdown site for these upcoming crewed lunar missions. We know that medical infrastructure and trauma teams of your extraordinary calibre would support our astronauts,” Dr Polk said.

Netcare 911’s highly experienced pre-hospital care services, including a fully equipped HEMS intensive care air ambulance service, are integrated into the hospital’s advanced trauma care capabilities. The hospital is one of the few private facilities accredited at the highest level by the Trauma Society of South Africa (TSSA).

Dr Polk added that the medical collaboration between NASA and Netcare continues a remarkable legacy of partnership and coordination with South Africa that began during the historic Apollo era.

Amanda Klette, trauma programme manager at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, said the trauma team feels honoured to be part of this global collaboration as Artemis IV prepares for its mission, expanding the horizons of humanity.

“The accredited trauma systems at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital are aligned with international best practice, and we stand ready to provide any medical care and support that may be required for the Artemis IV mission,” Klette concludes.