Assessment of the Human Research Program Research Portfolio

摘要

The NASA Human Research Program (HRP) started in 2004 and developed a risk reduction strategy to "buy down" the biomedical risks for humans participating in exploration space missions. The goal was to use applied biomedical research and technology development to prevent or mitigate potential health problems during the mission and then for the lifetime health of astronaut on return to earth. The enumeration of potential risks were derived from current evidence obtained for the general population health and medical data from people who work in extreme environments or high-risk professions. Appropriate research questions than were prioritized and research was competitively solicited from research institutions, government agencies and industry to answer these questions. The research provided new information which continually enhances the evidence base leading to 1) new known and previous unknown questions for additional research, 2) ways to mitigate the established risks by monitoring, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, 3) the development of new or improved biomedical technologies that could be used during space missions, 4) data that is used to improve and set new health standards by the Chief Health & Medical Officer, and 5) obtain information for NASA engineers to improve spacecraft and environmental design, function, and biomedical safety for the astronauts crewing the space missions.