Category: Human Health and Performance

Exposure to the microgravity environment causes muscle size, strength, and endurance to decline. Based on ISS data, if crew adhere to the exercise schedule and have access to adequate exercise countermeasure systems then on average, they return with minimal losses of muscle size, strength, and endurance. New exploration countermeasures systems will be different from ISS […]

Spaceflight causes measures of maximum aerobic capacity to decline, which can result in impaired mission task performance. Based on ISS data, if crew adhere to existing exercise schedules and have access to adequate exercise countermeasure systems, then on average, they return with minimal losses of aerobic fitness. New exploration countermeasures systems will be different from […]

The EIHSO risk can impact all phases of mission operation where the crew-members are expected to interact with the vehicle in both nominal and off-nominal operation. Most importantly, as the distance from Earth increases, crew will need to be more independent and be able to handle greater operational complexity. Without the current level of ground […]

The EIHSO risk can impact all phases of mission operation where the crew-members are expected to interact with the vehicle in both nominal and off-nominal operation. Most importantly, as the distance from Earth increases, crew will need to be more independent and be able to handle greater operational complexity. Without the current level of ground […]

Lunar dust exposure has not been a hazard since the 1972 Apollo missions. Data collected at that time has provided insight and many years of research. Due to the unique properties of lunar dust (and other celestial bodies), there is a possibility that exposure could lead to serious health effects (e.g., respiratory, cardiopulmonary, ocular, or […]

Lunar dust exposure has not been a hazard since the 1972 Apollo missions. Data collected at that time has provided insight and many years of research. Due to the unique properties of lunar dust (and other celestial bodies), there is a possibility that exposure could lead to serious health effects (e.g., respiratory, cardiopulmonary, ocular, or […]

Sunlight exposure primarily affects the eye and skin and is mitigated by current standards and countermeasures.  An increase in the prevalence of high-power ground-based lasers capable of reaching the ISS, and possibly even the Moon, could cause acute laser exposure damaging hemorrhagic retinal lesions resulting in temporary or permanent damage to vision. Directed Acyclic Graph […]

Sunlight exposure primarily affects the eye and skin and is mitigated by current standards and countermeasures.  An increase in the prevalence of high-power ground-based lasers capable of reaching the ISS, and possibly even the Moon, could cause acute laser exposure damaging hemorrhagic retinal lesions resulting in temporary or permanent damage to vision. Directed Acyclic Graph […]

Regardless of mission length or objectives, all human spaceflight requires some degree of in-mission medical support. The transition from a gravitational environment to microgravity, coupled with living in a closed-loop environment, can result in variable physiological effects and health risks. For example, anticipated physiological impacts of the microgravity environment include fluid redistribution and subsequent head […]

Regardless of mission length or objectives, all human spaceflight requires some degree of in-mission medical support. The transition from a gravitational environment to microgravity, coupled with living in a closed-loop environment, can result in variable physiological effects and health risks. For example, anticipated physiological impacts of the microgravity environment include fluid redistribution and subsequent head […]