NASA’s Open Science Data Repository is providing crucial data for researchers studying the effects of space on the human body. Nearly three years after the Inspiration4 commercial crew launch, the mission’s biological data has become the first comprehensive, open-access database to include commercial astronaut health information.
Historically, access to astronaut research data has been limited due to privacy regulations and concerns. However, with the advent of commercial spaceflight, this field is evolving to include civilian astronauts.
“Open-access data is fundamentally transforming our approach to spaceflight research,” said Dr. Sylvain Costes, project manager of the Open Science Data Repository. “The repository is instrumental in this transformation, ensuring that all space-related biological and biomedical data are accessible to everyone. This broad access is vital for driving innovation across fields from astronaut health to terrestrial medical sciences.”
The collaborative efforts in opening data to researchers have led to the publication of multiple scientific papers on astronaut health in Nature in June. These papers explore the impact of spaceflight on the human body, the potential spread of viruses in zero-gravity environments, and the development of countermeasures to protect humans on future long-duration missions.
The continuous access to data collected by commercial astronauts allows for ongoing research even after the crew’s return to Earth. This research extends beyond spaceflight, impacting fields such as cancer and genetic diseases, as well as bone health.
“This series of inspiring articles enabled by the repository and enriched by new data generously shared by commercial astronauts aboard the Inspiration4 mission exemplifies our commitment to open science,” said Costes. “By making our data fully accessible and usable, we’re enabling researchers worldwide to explore new frontiers in space biology.”
NASA’s Open Science Data Repository is based at the agency’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. NASA is dedicated to pursuing the best methods and technologies to support safe, productive human space travel. Through science conducted in laboratories, ground-based analogs, and missions to the International Space Station, NASA continues to explore innovative ways to maintain astronaut health as space exploration extends to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
