Radiation-induced ophthalmic risks of long duration spaceflight: Current investigations and interventions

Safety protocols, precautions, and countermeasures aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to prevent ocular injury

The International Space Station (ISS) is a $100 billion epicenter of human activity in the vacuum of space, displaying mankind's collective endeavor to explore the cosmic frontier. Even within the marvels of technological sophistication aboard the ISS, the human eye remains a highly vulnerable structure. In the absence of multiple layers of protection and risk assessments, crewmembers would face a substantial increase in vulnerability to ocular injury. Aside from stringent preflight screening criteria for astronauts, the ISS is equipped with ophthalmic medications, environmental control and life support systems (e.g., humidity regulation, carbon dioxide removal, pressurized device regulators), and radiation protection to reduce ocular injury. Moreover, additional countermeasures are currently being developed to mitigate the effects of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) and lunar dust toxicity for the Artemis Program missions. The success of future endeavors hinges not only on continued technological innovation, but also respecting the intricate interplay between human physiology and the extraterrestrial environments. Establishing habitations on the Moon and Mars, as well as NASA's Gateway Program (humanity's first space station around the Moon), will introduce a new set of challenges, underscoring the necessity for continuous insights into ocular health in space. We discuss the safety protocols, precautions, and countermeasures implemented on the ISS to prevent ocular injury - an aspect often overshadowed by the grandeur of space exploration.

Coordinated lunar time (LTC): Implications of a lunar-centric time zone on astronaut health and space medicine

Lunar exploration offers an exciting opportunity for humanity to advance scientific knowledge and future potential economic growth and possibly allow humans to become a multi-planetary species. On April 2, 2024 the US Office of Science and Technology Policy released a memorandum outlining the current Biden-Harris Administration's policy on the need to establish time standards at celestial bodies other than Earth. This memorandum also introduced the need for Coordinated Lunar Time (CLT), the concept of having a reference time for the moon. The establishment of CLT would provide a multitude of benefits for astronaut health, from expedition planning, to maintaining a sense of order in an austere environment. International agreements and collaboration will be required prior to the recognition of CLT.