SpaceX Crew-13 astronauts will support biomedical and human performance studies

Astronauts on SpaceX's Crew-13 mission will support a series of biomedical and human performance studies. The work includes research on blood flow, piloting, vision, exercise, and landing forces.

Venous Haemostasis is a new collaboration with ESA that builds on earlier blood-flow research in space. The study aims to lessen how often astronauts must have blood drawn and to learn why such changes may appear in some crew members but not others.

Weightlessness can disturb normal blood flow in astronauts' veins, while irregular and slow flow can raise the risk of blood clots. Jason Lytle, a cardiovascular researcher at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, is one of the principal investigators. Crew members will have MRI scans, jugular vein ultrasounds, blood pressure checks, and blood draws.

The Manual Piloting study uses simulated lunar descents to assess how astronauts manage difficult landings after long periods in microgravity. Long-duration spaceflight can affect sensory systems, orientation, and motion control when moving between gravity environments. Researchers are examining how these effects alter piloting ability and whether a short refresher session near landing can improve capabilities and decision-making.

The B-Complex study examines whether a daily B-vitamin supplement may reduce or prevent Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). SANS is a condition that may alter the structure of astronauts' eyes during long missions. Participating crew members will have vision tests and take B vitamins before, during, and after flight. The study will also check whether B vitamins affect blood-vessel function in crew members before and after flight.

Crew-13 astronauts will also take part in three other Human Research Program studies. They are Standard Measures, Spacecraft Occupant Risk, and Zero T2.

Standard Measures gathers uniform physiological and behavioral data from many crew members to create baselines. Spacecraft Occupant Risk measures landing forces on astronauts so NASA can improve strategies and hardware for lower injury risk. Zero T2 follows the exercise habits of chosen crew members and compares health and performance results between those who use treadmills and those who do not. These comparisons help shape exercise plans for future Artemis and deep-space missions.

These studies address medical and operational risks that can affect astronauts during and after long spaceflights. They cover blood clot risk, eye changes, piloting performance, and landing injury risk.

The work is relevant to lunar operations because Manual Piloting uses simulated lunar descents, and exercise comparisons are meant to help build plans for future Artemis and deep-space missions. The Venous Haemostasis study also adds ESA collaboration to this crew research.