| Abstract: | The system of medical selection of Soviet cosmonauts stemmed from that used in aviation medicine, particularly medical expertise of the flying personnel. Selection in the hospital included two-stage detailed clinical and physiological examinations using various provocative tests. The system of medical selection and clarification of medical requirements was improved and refined through regular observations over candidates and cosmonauts and careful analysis of their grounding due to medical problems. The American and Soviet systems of selection used at an early stage of space programs are compared and similarities and differences between them are indicated. |
