ROBOTIC SURGERY IN SPACE AND ON OTHER PLANETS: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Robotic surgery offers new possibilities for delivering healthcare in space, particularly during long-term missions or in extraterrestrial colonies where human medical expertise may be limited. The unique challenges of microgravity and varying gravitational forces on other planets affect surgical procedures and necessitate innovative adaptations. This paper explores how robotic systems can facilitate surgeries in zero-gravity environments and discusses the benefits of remote-controlled procedures. However, complications such as hemorrhage, organ manipulation, and fluid management become more difficult to address without gravity. Special attention is given to the challenges of pediatric surgery in these environments. By examining the feasibility of surgeries on planets like Mars and the Moon, where gravity differs from Earths, we assess the potential for safe surgical care. This study also outlines the technological advancements required to overcome intraoperative challenges and identifies the types of surgeries that may become possible on other planets.