NASA is recruiting volunteers through November 30, 2026, for a research study at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, aimed at protecting astronauts from decompression sickness during moonwalks.
According to NASA, the low operating pressure inside an astronaut's spacesuit can cause gas bubbles to form within the body. This condition can lead to joint pain as well as other physical symptoms during lunar surface operations. The NASA-funded project seeks to address the issue by evaluating specific protocols involving exercise and pure oxygen breathing.
Chamber Testing and Monitoring
During the research trials, participants will breathe pure oxygen while resting or performing light exercise. Following that preparation, volunteers will spend six hours inside a specialized chamber that simulates the reduced pressure of a spacesuit. While in the simulated environment, participants will carry out simulated lunar tasks under the direct supervision of a physician and continuous ultrasound monitoring to detect any bubble formation.
Eligibility and Visit Requirements
NASA stated that applicants must be healthy, physically fit, non-smoking adults between the ages of 30 and 60. The study requires a commitment of six separate visits to the medical center.
The testing schedule begins with a five-hour screening session, followed by a three-hour oxygen consumption test and a four-hour practice session. Volunteers will then complete three separate nine-hour research sessions inside the specialized chamber environment.
Participants will receive compensation for their time, though NASA indicated that travel expenses to and from the Durham facility will not be reimbursed. Recruitment will remain open until the November 30, 2026 deadline.
