Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31053: Guarding Immunity in Orbit: How NASA Monitors Astronaut Health

The human immune system is incredibly complex and essential for keeping us healthy. But what happens to it in space, where stressors like microgravity, radiation, and isolation come into play? That’s what the experiment titled “Validation of Procedures for Monitoring Crewmember Immune Function” set out to investigate.

In space, astronauts are vulnerable to immune suppression, which means their bodies might not fight infections as effectively. Understanding these changes is vital for planning future long-duration missions and ensuring crew safety.

Led by Dr. Clarence Sams at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, this long-term study involved multiple expeditions aboard the International Space Station. The focus was to create and test protocols that could accurately assess astronaut immune health before, during, and after space missions.

The procedures included collecting blood, saliva, and urine samples from astronauts at different mission phases. These samples were analyzed for biomarkers — signals that tell scientists about the strength and activity of the immune system. The researchers specifically looked for shifts in white blood cell activity, stress hormone levels, and virus reactivation (some viruses like Epstein-Barr can “wake up” when the immune system is compromised).

The team also tested portable lab kits and automated sample processing tools that astronauts could use onboard, reducing reliance on Earth-based labs. These innovations are crucial for deep space missions where immediate ground support isn’t possible.

One of the key takeaways was that even mild spaceflight conditions can alter immune function, and these effects can persist after the astronaut returns to Earth. These insights have wide-ranging applications. They help improve astronaut training and health monitoring, and they could also benefit immunocompromised patients or people under extreme stress here on Earth.

By validating reliable monitoring procedures, NASA is taking a giant leap in preventive space medicine, protecting crews on current and future space missions.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in astronomy, cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.