Request for Information: Help Shape Human Health Research for the Future Moon Base

NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) is inviting input from the scientific community to help identify research opportunities that will enhance human health and performance during extended stays on the Moon. With NASA shifting from short lunar missions to the development of a future Moon Base, new questions will arise about how living and working in reduced gravity impacts astronaut wellbeing.

HRP is looking for ideas, emerging scientific inquiries, and technological needs that will inform future research planning and minimize risks to astronauts during prolonged lunar missions and potential Mars expeditions. When proposing research, respondents should consider what health questions could be examined using data gathered from astronauts functioning and residing on the Moon's surface for brief periods (about one week to one month).

What specific health metrics should be captured during the initial phases of Moon Base construction?

The program asks if collecting this data would demand unique resources, dedicated astronaut time, or disrupt standard procedures. If so, how would the acquired information advance the understanding of identified health risks and inform mitigation strategies? Respondents are also asked to suggest technologies, equipment, or research capabilities that would be beneficial to have at the Moon Base to improve human health research and support risk assessment.

The program also inquires about potential health questions that could be addressed through data collected from unmanned lunar missions. Which payloads could feasibly gather this information in the near future? To submit a response, researchers must log in to NSPIRES, locate the "Request for Information (RFI): What can we learn about human health and performance from astronauts living and working on the Moon Base?" and complete the necessary summary section with a concise answer, limited to 4,000 characters.

Respondents should select the HRP section most relevant to their ideas: Human Factors and Behavioral Performance, Human Health Countermeasures, or Space Radiation. Responses will be utilized strictly for planning purposes and to guide future HRP research directions, not to solicit proposals or provide funding.