Blog

Risk of Reduced Physical Performance Capabilities Due to Reduced Muscle Size, Strength, and Endurance (Muscle Risk)

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.

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

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Adverse Health Outcomes and Performance Decrements resulting from Non-Ionizing Radiation during Spaceflight

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

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Adverse Health Effects Due to Host-Microorganism Interactions

Exposure to the spaceflight environment evidence indicates alterations in microbial virulence and astronaut immune function.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Adverse Health Outcomes and Decrements in Performance due to Inflight Medical Conditions

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.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Acute and Chronic Carbon Dioxide Exposure

Hostile, enclosed spaceflight environments (including space vehicles and suits) do not have the benefit of natural carbon dioxide (CO2) removal. In these environments, equipment (e.g., the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly, lithium hydroxide, and amine systems) control CO2 levels and mitigate consequences of elevated CO2 exposure.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Risk of Adverse Cognitive or Behavioral Conditions and Psychiatric Disorders

Exposure to the isolation and confinement of spaceflight can result in decrements in cognitive and behavioral functioning.

Posted March 11, 2025

Human Health and Performance

Human System Risks

Concern of Venous Thromboembolism

Note: The Concern of Venous Thromboembolism is historical and now a component of CV Risk. Stagnant or reverse flow in the internal jugular vein has been observed in 6 of 11 crew members (55%) tested in-mission on approximately flight day 50; one crewmember was found to have an occlusive internal jugular vein thrombus requiring treatment […]

Posted March 11, 2025

Earth Science

The NASA DC-8 Retires: Reflections on its Contributions to Earth System Science

Introduction Since 1987, a highly modified McDonnell Douglas DC-8 aircraft has been a workhorse in NASA’s Airborne Science Program (ASP)—see Photo 1.

Posted March 11, 2025

Earth Science

Summary of Special Engage Session on “Remote Sensing and the Future of Earth Observations”

Introduction On October 16, 2024, a special session of the NASA Goddard Engage series took place in the Goett Auditorium (Building 3) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The Engage series is intended to explain work at GSFC in an immersive and nontechnical setting.

Posted March 11, 2025