Aerospace & Defense

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How Conditions of Space Impact Astronauts' Functional Performance

Adapting to the microgravity environment of space changes the way the brain interprets sensory signals, decreases muscle strength, and alters cardiovascular function. Astronauts will need to overcome these changes to perform critical mission tasks on a journey to Mars. Maintaining balance control will be key to a successful mission. NASA's Human Research Program wants to understand how spaceflight affects human physiological systems and functional performance to help identify the best countermeasures for astronauts in support of future deep space missions. Jacob Bloomberg, Ph.D., senior scientist at the Johnson Space Center, is investigating functional performance and physiological systems to determine how these changes can impact astronauts.