TRISH Essential Measures

Following research conducted on Axiom Mission 1 and Axiom Mission 2, Axiom Space continues to work with TRISH to gather systematic data on human physiology, biometric monitoring, cognitive and behavioral performance, genetic data and gene expression, contextual data through questionnaires, balance and space motion sickness, and spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) visual changes. This portfolio of projects will help understand how humans adapt to space, specifically in the context of commercial spaceflight participants. Results can also help inform Earth-based research into eye or movement disorders and the cognitive and emotional impacts of isolated, confined, or stressful environments.

In addition to the crew-curated research portfolios, Axiom Space is collaborating with a variety of institutions to conduct several science investigations. Demonstrations range from self-assembling technology for satellites and future space habitats and air purification to cancer stem cell study and pre- and post-flight collection of physiological data.  

Dr. Emmanuel Urquieta, the chief medical officer for the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), joined the launch webcast to discuss the organization’s EXPAND (Enhancing eXploration Platforms and ANalog Definition) program, which compiles health data from private spaceflight into a centralized research database. The data broaden understanding of how space impacts human health and how to prepare humans for the demands of long-distance and long-duration space travel, including to the Moon and eventually, to Mars.

“One of the outcomes – and main applications for spaceflight – that we want to get from this research is that short duration missions like Axiom-1 are very relevant in the context of Artemis missions,” said Dr. Urquieta. “When we go back to the Moon, the first missions will be roughly the same duration as this Axiom one. So, anything new we learn from this mission is going to be absolutely valuable.”