Watch CBS News

Good Question: Can Astronauts Perform Surgery In Space?

The challenges of space travel is the subject of this Good Question. Mikel Schmidt of Half Moon Bay asks: If someone had appendicitis in space, can they perform surgery?

ANSWER: According to Ben Burress at the Chabot Space and Science Center, they can do surgery in space. If necessary, even life saving surgery can be done.

But NASA prefers to send very sick astronauts back to Earth via the Russian escape capsule if it's that serious.

Our video report has more.

(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.