PART 7Training, qualifications and medical fitness

CHAPTER 5Medical Fitness

Medical obligations72

1

The licensee must ensure that—

a

all the crew of the launch vehicle, and remote pilots taking part in spaceflight activities, hold a valid medical certificate as required by regulation 73(1);

b

none of the crew has suffered a decrease in fitness due to illness or injury since the date of issue of their medical certificate which might affect their ability to—

i

withstand the physical and mental rigours of spaceflight;

ii

perform safety-critical functions reliably during the spaceflight activities;

iii

carry out any emergency procedures which may be required during the spaceflight activities, including the evacuation of the launch vehicle;

c

no person takes part in spaceflight activities, either as a crew member or a spaceflight participant, if that person is not medically fit to fly;

d

no person participates in the licensed activities if they are not fit to do so.

2

The procedures established by the licensee to ensure that it satisfies its obligations under paragraph (1) may include—

a

medical examinations and medical assessments by an approved aeromedical examiner,

b

requirements for the crew and remote pilots who hold valid medical certificates to complete self-declarations of fitness, and

c

requirements for individuals who do not perform a specified role to report to the licensee on any occasion when they are not fit to perform their duties.

3

For the purposes of paragraph (2), every crew member and remote pilot must submit to such a medical examination or medical assessment when required by the spaceflight operator to do so.

4

The procedures referred to in paragraph (2) must be completed before—

a

a crew member performs any duty on board a launch vehicle, and

b

a remote pilot takes control of a launch vehicle.

5

In this Chapter—

  • “approved aeromedical examiner” means an individual who—

    1. a

      is qualified and holds a valid licence to practise medicine from the General Medical Council,

    2. b

      has qualifications in aviation or space medicine, and

    3. c

      has been approved by the regulator for the purposes of carrying out medical assessments or medical examinations for the purposes of these Regulations;

  • “approved medical assessor” means an individual employed by the regulator who—

    1. a

      is qualified and holds a valid licence to practise medicine from the General Medical Council,

    2. b

      has qualifications in aviation or space medicine, and

    3. c

      has been authorised by the regulator for the purposes of regulations 73(5) and 74(5);

  • “medical assessment” means the conclusion on the medical fitness of an individual based on evaluation of that individual’s medical history, medical examinations and medical tests;

  • “medical examination” means a physical inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation or other means of investigation, especially for determining medical fitness or diagnosing disease.