preface_schema: ‘1.0’ title: ‘Identifying and Closing Medical Capability Gaps for Human Spaceflight Missions Beyond Low Earth Orbit’ source_type: ‘Academic’ publisher: ‘National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’ publishing_date: ‘Unknown’ authors: [‘Moriah Thompson’, ‘Kris Lehnhardt’, ‘Ben Easter’, ‘Jay Lemery’, ‘Rahul Suresh’] available_at: ‘AsMA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting New Orleans, LA’ availability_status: ‘available’ availability_http_code: ‘200’ availability_checked_at: ” availability_note: ” source_integrity_flag: ‘verified’ credibility_tier_value: ‘1’ credibility_tier_key: ‘commentary’ credibility_tier_label: ‘Commentary’ credibility_reason: ‘commentary_default’ credibility: ‘Final Commentary Report’ journal_ranking_source: ‘n/a’ journal_sourceid: ” journal_title: ” journal_issn: ” journal_sjr: ‘0.0’ journal_quartile: ” journal_rank_global: ‘0’ journal_categories: ” journal_areas: ” journal_high_ranked: ‘False’ journal_match_method: ‘none’ journal_match_confidence: ‘0.0’ keywords: [‘spaceflight’, ‘medical capability gaps’, ‘human spaceflight missions’, ‘nasa’, ‘asma 2023 annual scientific meeting’] abstract: ‘This document outlines the medical capability gaps and roadmap for human spaceflight missions beyond Low Earth Orbit. It covers topics such as Medical Concepts of Operations, Medical Imaging, Diagnostics, and Treatment, Operational Medical Decision Support Software and Informatics, Crew Health & Performance Integrated Data Architecture, Integrated Medical Simulation Technologies, Medical Risk Model and Trade Space Analysis Tools, Semi-autonomous Behavioral Health and Performance, and Safe and Effective Pharmaceuticals.’
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Identifying and Closing Medical Capability Gaps for Human Spaceflight Missions Beyond Low Earth Orbit
Moriah Thompson, Kris Lehnhardt, Ben Easter, Jay Lemery, Rahul Suresh NASA, Houston, TX, United States
AsMA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting New Orleans, LA
Spaceflight Missions Beyond Low Earth Orbit
Moriah Thompson, Kris Lehnhardt, Ben Easter, Jay Lemery, Rahul Suresh NASA, Houston, TX, United States
AsMA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting New Orleans, LA
[Image 1]: This photograph is a NASA presentation slide featuring the title “Identifying and Closing Medical Capability Gaps for Human Spaceflight Missions Beyond Low Earth Orbit” with authors and event details. The main subject is the scientific topic and presenter information, set against a space backdrop showing Earth, the Moon, and stars. Colors include dark space tones, Earth’s blue and white, and the NASA logo’s blue and red.
Disclosure Information
- I have no financial relationships to disclose.
- I will not discuss off-label use and/or investigational use in my presentation.
[Image 2]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
Background: Exploration Paradigm
EARTH RELIANT
MISSI0N:6TO 12M0NTHS RETURNTOEARTH:HOURS
- Real Time Communications
- Evacuation Capability (1.5 - 36 hrs)
- Strong Consumables Resupply
PROVING GROUND
MISSI0N: 1 T0 12 M0NTHS RETURNTO EARTH:DAYS
- Near Real Time Communications
- Evacuation Capability ( 72 - 144 hrs )
- Limited Consumables Resupply
[Image 3]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
EARTHINDEPENDENT
MISSI0N:2T0 3YEARS RETURN TO EARTH:MONTHS
- No Real Time Communications
- No Evacuation Capability
- No Consumables Resupply
[Image 4]: This NASA infographic outlines three space exploration phases—Earth Reliant, Proving Ground, and Earth Independent—each with mission durations and return timelines. The setting depicts space with Earth, the Moon, and Mars, accompanied by spacecraft illustrations. Colors feature a dark space background with blue, white, and orange text, highlighting key details like communication capabilities and resupply options for each phase. It explains the progression from Earth-dependent missions to deep space exploration.
ite, and orange text, highlighting key details like communication capabilities and resupply options for each phase. It explains the progression from Earth-dependent missions to deep space exploration.
Background: NASA Capability Gaps and Human System Risks
- Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) uses Capability Gaps to identify technology development required to enable future exploration missions 1
- Human System Risk Board (HSRB) tracks Human System Risks encountered in human spaceflight 2
- -Human System Risk: Recognized potential undesired flight crew health or performance outcome that has a clear consequence and attendant likelihood supported by evidence for a given Design Reference Mission (DRM) 2
- Crew Health and Performance (CHP) Systems Capability Leadership Team (SCLT) coordinated with the HRP External Programs team to developed the Human System Capability Gaps 1
- -Mapped to the primary associated Human System Risks
[Image 5]: This NASA infographic outlines three space exploration phases—Earth Reliant, Proving Ground, and Earth Independent—each with mission durations and return timelines. The setting depicts space with Earth, the Moon, and Mars, accompanied by spacecraft illustrations. Colors feature a dark space background with blue, white, and orange text, highlighting key details like communication capabilities and resupply options for each phase. It explains the progression from Earth-dependent missions to deep space exploration.
XMIPT Gap and Roadmap Development Process
[Image 6]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
[Image 7]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
Medical Concepts of Operations
ns to deep space exploration.
XMIPT Gap and Roadmap Development Process
[Image 6]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
[Image 7]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
Medical Concepts of Operations
[Image 8]: The image shows a flowchart titled “XM IPT Gap and Roadmap Development Process” with NASA branding. It outlines steps like developing a comprehensive gap list, prioritizing gaps, aligning with human system risks, creating a roadmap for closure, and conducting annual reviews. The main subject is the process workflow, set against a white background with blue rectangular boxes and black text. Colors are predominantly blue and white with black text.
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Concepts of Operations | Development of mission specific medical concept of operations and evidence-based medical standards to inform required medical capabilities for increasingly Earth-independent operations. | Medical Conditions Behavioral Med. |
[Image 9]: The image shows a flowchart titled “XM IPT Gap and Roadmap Development Process” with NASA branding. It outlines steps like developing a comprehensive gap list, prioritizing gaps, aligning with human system risks, creating a roadmap for closure, and conducting annual reviews. The main subject is the process workflow, set against a white background with blue rectangular boxes and black text. Colors are predominantly blue and white with black text.
Medical Imaging, Diagnostics, and Treatment
[Image 10]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
NASA
with blue rectangular boxes and black text. Colors are predominantly blue and white with black text.
Medical Imaging, Diagnostics, and Treatment
[Image 10]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
NASA
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Imaging, Diagnostics, and Treatment Technologies | Flight-tested medical imaging, diagnostic, and treatment technologies necessary to effectively manage medical conditions relevant to exploration missions that meet constraints (e.g., mass, volume, power, data, etc.),, integrate with medical decision-support tools, and enable increasingly Earth-independent operations. | Medical Conditions SANS Cardiovascular Bone Fracture Renal Stones EVA Urinary Retention Non-ionizing Radiation Electrical Shock |
[Image 11]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
[Image 12]: This NASA slide titled “Medical Imaging, Diagnostics, and Treatment” presents a table outlining capability gaps for medical technologies in space missions, including associated human system risks. The slide includes three images: one of an astronaut in a spacecraft module, a medical monitor with green and blue displays, and another astronaut using a diagnostic device. The main colors are dark blue for the header, white for the background, and the photos feature black, blue, and green tones from the equipment and uniforms. The slide is part of a presentation focused on medical tech for space exploration.
eader, white for the background, and the photos feature black, blue, and green tones from the equipment and uniforms. The slide is part of a presentation focused on medical tech for space exploration.
[Image 13]: This NASA slide titled “Medical Imaging, Diagnostics, and Treatment” presents a table outlining capability gaps for medical technologies in space missions, including associated human system risks. The slide includes three images: one of an astronaut in a spacecraft module, a medical monitor with green and blue displays, and another astronaut using a diagnostic device. The main colors are dark blue for the header, white for the background, and the photos feature black, blue, and green tones from the equipment and uniforms. The slide is part of a presentation focused on medical tech for space exploration.
Medical Imaging, Diagnostics, and Treatment
[Image 14]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
[Image 15]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
Operational Medical Decision Support Software and Informatics
[Image 16]: The photograph shows a NASA presentation slide titled “Operational Medical Decision Support Software and Informatics” with a table listing a capability gap name, its statement, and associated human system risks. The main subject is the table detailing medical software for in-flight crew support, set against a dark blue header with a NASA logo in the top right. Colors include dark blue, white, and gray for the slide elements.
is the table detailing medical software for in-flight crew support, set against a dark blue header with a NASA logo in the top right. Colors include dark blue, white, and gray for the slide elements.
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Operational Medical Decision Support Software & Informatics | In-flight medical decision support software that guides crew through diagnosis and treatment as well as medical informatics such as an electronic health record and inventory tracking capability all of which utilize a Crew Health and Performance Integrated Data Architecture to enable data-driven medical decision making during increasingly Earth-independent operations. | Human Systems Integration Architecture (HSIA) Medical Conditions Crew Egress Sensorimotor |
Operational Medical Decision Support Software and Informatics
[Image 17]: The photograph shows a NASA presentation slide titled “Operational Medical Decision Support Software and Informatics” with a table listing a capability gap name, its statement, and associated human system risks. The main subject is the table detailing medical software for in-flight crew support, set against a dark blue header with a NASA logo in the top right. Colors include dark blue, white, and gray for the slide elements.
[Image 18]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
CHP Integrated Data Architecture
[Image 19]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
ight. Colors include dark blue, white, and gray for the slide elements.
[Image 18]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
CHP Integrated Data Architecture
[Image 19]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Crew Health & Performance Integrated Data Architecture | Data architecture integrated across all crewmembers, vehicle systems, and mission phases to enable multi-system crew health and performance assurance (e.g., monitoring, decision support, data collection, analytics, visualization, etc.). | Human Systems Integration Architecture (HSIA) |
[Image 20]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
Integrated Medical Simulation Technologies
[Image 21]: This photograph is a NASA chart titled “Integrated Medical Simulation Technologies” showing a timeline of medical simulation development projects from FY21 to FY36+. The main subject is a table outlining capability gaps for space medical operations, with a timeline displaying projects like “Integrated Simulation Test Bed Dev” and “Semi-autonomous Procedure Dev.” The setting is a space-themed document with a dark background featuring stars, and colors include green for project boxes, blue for headers, and orange for Mars-related labels.
onomous Procedure Dev.” The setting is a space-themed document with a dark background featuring stars, and colors include green for project boxes, blue for headers, and orange for Mars-related labels.
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Medical Simulation Technologies | Integrated medical ground simulation capabilities incorporating medical hardware- and software- based diagnostic and treatment aides to enable development of crew procedures and training protocols that decrease reliance on ground support and enable increasingly Earthindependent medical operations. | Medical Conditions Human Systems Integration Architecture (HSIA) |
[Image 22]: This photograph is a NASA chart titled “Integrated Medical Simulation Technologies” showing a timeline of medical simulation development projects from FY21 to FY36+. The main subject is a table outlining capability gaps for space medical operations, with a timeline displaying projects like “Integrated Simulation Test Bed Dev” and “Semi-autonomous Procedure Dev.” The setting is a space-themed document with a dark background featuring stars, and colors include green for project boxes, blue for headers, and orange for Mars-related labels.
Medical Risk Model and Trade Space Analysis Tools
[Image 23]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
s, and colors include green for project boxes, blue for headers, and orange for Mars-related labels.
Medical Risk Model and Trade Space Analysis Tools
[Image 23]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Risk Model and Trade Space Analysis Tools | Quantitative medical risk models and trade space analysis tools that utilize up to date terrestrial and spaceflight medical evidence databases to inform mission-specific medical concept of operations, system design, and system optimization and enable increasingly Earth independent operations. | Medical Conditions |
[Image 24]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
Semi-autonomous Behavioral Health and Performance
[Image 25]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-autonomous Behavioral Health and Performance Technologies | Semi-autonomous behavioral health diagnosis, treatment, and support tools that decrease reliance on real-time ground support to enable behavioral health and performance during increasingly Earthindependent operations. | Behavioral Med. Sleep Loss Team Risk |
[Image 26]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
-time ground support to enable behavioral health and performance during increasingly Earthindependent operations. | Behavioral Med. Sleep Loss Team Risk |
[Image 26]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
Safe and Effective Pharmaceuticals
[Image 27]: A person wearing a blue shirt and blue gloves is working with laboratory equipment inside a space station. The setting features numerous technical instruments, panels, and tools typical of a spacecraft environment. Colors include blue from the clothing, metallic tones from the equipment, and various other hues from the surrounding devices.
NASA
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Safe and Effective Pharmaceuticals | Capability to maintain medication safety and effectiveness over the course of all exploration mission concepts despite increased exposure to environmental stressors including deep space radiation. | Pharm |
[Image 28]: A person wearing a blue shirt and blue gloves is working with laboratory equipment inside a space station. The setting features numerous technical instruments, panels, and tools typical of a spacecraft environment. Colors include blue from the clothing, metallic tones from the equipment, and various other hues from the surrounding devices.
Safe and Effective Pharmaceuticals
pical of a spacecraft environment. Colors include blue from the clothing, metallic tones from the equipment, and various other hues from the surrounding devices.
Safe and Effective Pharmaceuticals
[Image 29]: This photograph is a NASA timeline chart titled “Safe and Effective Pharmaceuticals” showing research activities from FY21 to FY36+. The main subject is a schedule of pharmaceutical studies for space missions, including medication stability, compatibility, and development. The setting features a space-themed background with stars, and the colors include green for most studies, blue for some, gray for others, and orange/red for specific mission phases.
[Image 30]: This photograph is a NASA timeline chart titled “Safe and Effective Pharmaceuticals” showing research activities from FY21 to FY36+. The main subject is a schedule of pharmaceutical studies for space missions, including medication stability, compatibility, and development. The setting features a space-themed background with stars, and the colors include green for most studies, blue for some, gray for others, and orange/red for specific mission phases.
In-situ Sample Storage, Processing, and Analysis
[Image 31]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
e green for most studies, blue for some, gray for others, and orange/red for specific mission phases.
In-situ Sample Storage, Processing, and Analysis
[Image 31]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
| Capability Gap Name | Capability Gap Statement | Primary Associated Human System Risks |
|---|---|---|
| In-situ Sample Storage, Processing & Analysis | Technologies to store, process, and analyze a variety of biological and non-biological samples in- situ to enable Earth independent human research and medical operations for exploration missions with limited sample return capability. | Medical Conditions Food and Nutrition Pharm |
[Image 32]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
References
- NASA CHP Systems Capability Leadership Team, “Human System Capability Gaps and Mappings to Human System Risks,” NASA, Houston, 2022.
- JSC Health and Medical Technical Authority, “Human System Risk Management Plan,” NASA, Houston, 2020.
[Image 33]: [Image: logo/icon omitted]
Related Concepts
- Human Spaceflight Medical Capability Gap Analysis — Wikipedia
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — Wikipedia
- Orbital Health Risks — Wikipedia
- Space Mission Preparedness — Wikipedia
- Radiation Effects on the Human Body — Wikipedia
- Countermeasures for Prolonged Spaceflight — Wikipedia
- Human Spaceflight — Wikipedia
- Medical Capability Gaps — Wikipedia
- Beyond Low Earth Orbit — Wikipedia
- Medical Concepts of Operations — Wikipedia
- Spaceflight Medical Imaging — Wikipedia
- Operational Medical Diagnostics — Wikipedia
- Medical Decision Support Systems — Wikipedia
- Crew Health Data Architecture — Wikipedia
- Medical Simulation Technologies — Wikipedia
- Medical Risk Modeling — Wikipedia
- Behavioral Health Performance — Wikipedia
- Safe Pharmaceuticals — Wikipedia
- Earth-Reliant Missions — Wikipedia
- Earth-Independent Missions — Wikipedia
- Deep Space Exploration — Wikipedia
- Mission Preparedness — Wikipedia
Related Entities
- Moriah Thompson — Wikipedia
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) — Wikipedia
- Kris Lehnhardt — Wikipedia
- Ben Easter — Wikipedia
- Jay Lemery — Wikipedia
- Rahul Suresh — Wikipedia
- NASA — Wikipedia
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration — Wikipedia
- AsMA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting — Wikipedia