Hypobaric Hypoxia Characterization Studies

The NASA Human Research Program (HRP) is requesting information on capabilities and recommendations for implementation of multiple-day hypobaric chamber studies to characterize the physiological, performance, and cognitive risks of a hypobaric, mild hypoxic atmosphere. The goal is to mitigate the risk of decompression sickness during surface extravehicular activity in upcoming missions to the Moon. The ideal facility should be able to perform continuous 24-hour habitation for at least 7 and up to 30 consecutive days in a hypoxic environment using hypobaric chamber(s). The facility should also have capabilities to recruit, screen, and provide in-chamber medical support of the test subjects. Some key points to consider: • Recommendations for candidate facilities with capabilities, expertise, and staffing to perform hypobaric chamber studies • Standardized measures and analyses of physiological, performance, and cognitive outcomes • Relative prioritization of each measure to characterize safe execution of a space exploration-like mission • Test and assessment modalities that can be performed in the enclosed hypobaric environment • Frequency of measures required before, during, and after the hypobaric hypoxic exposure