March 2025

NASA’s newest astrophysics observatory, SPHEREx, is on its way to study the origins of our universe and the history of galaxies, and to search for the ingredients of life in our galaxy. Short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, SPHEREx lifted off at 8:10 p.m. PDT on […]

Posted March 12, 2025

Sols 4475-4476: Even the Best-Laid Plans

Written by Deborah Padgett, OPGS Task Lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Earth planning date: Friday, March 7, 2025 In Curiosity’s last plan, the team decided to drive toward a very interesting nodular rock. The rover team hoped to do a detailed study of its surface texture over the weekend. However, Curiosity did not receive […]

Posted March 12, 2025

General

NASA Continues BioNutrients Space-Fermented Food Research

NASA’s BioNutrients series of experiments is testing ways to use microorganisms to make nutrients that will be needed for human health during future long-duration deep space exploration missions. Some vital nutrients lack the shelf-life needed to span multi-year human missions, such as a mission to Mars, and may need to be produced in space to […]

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Human System Risk Board

Risk is inherent in human spaceflight. However, specific risks can and should be understood, managed, and mitigated to reduce threats posed to astronauts. Risk management in the context of human spaceflight can be viewed as a trade-based system.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk to Vehicle Crew Egress Capability and Task Performance as Applied to Earth and Extraterrestrial Landings

New spacecraft that will transport crews to the Lunar and Martian surfaces and return them to Earth may have diverse landing modalities which will function in different landing environments.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk to Crew Health Due to Electrical Shock (Electrical Shock Risk)

It is important to protect humans from unintended electrical current flow during spaceflight. The thresholds for contact electrical shock are well established, and standards and requirements exist that minimize the probability of contact electrical shock. Current thresholds were chosen (vs.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Urinary Retention

Exposure to the altered gravity in the spaceflight environment may cause physiological changes. One of these changes is the inability to completely empty the bladder or urinary retention.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Toxic Substance Exposure

Safe, breathable air is essential for crew health. Human spaceflight has involved toxicological events ranging in severity from trivial to life-threatening.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome

Exposure to altered gravity can cause ocular and brain structural changes to develop during spaceflight; these changes could lead to vision alterations, cognitive effects, or other deleterious health effects. SANS is a syndrome unique to humans that fly in space, and there is no terrestrial disease equivalent.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Renal Stone Formation

Exposure to microgravity induces bone atrophy/bone loss which increases circulating calcium, impacting the renal stone risk. Risk mitigation strategies including exercise and hydration are well-defined although the ability to treat a renal stone during exploration missions is not yet available.

Posted March 11, 2025