The Artemis 2 mission, slated for launch no earlier than February 2026, represents a giant leap not only for lunar exploration but also for understanding the human body's response to deep space. While the four-person crew – NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen – will be testing the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket, they'll also serve as vital human subjects in a series of groundbreaking scientific experiments.
This mission marks the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit in over half a century, providing invaluable data on the long-term effects of space travel. The astronauts will participate in the Artemis Research for Crew Health and Readiness (ARCHeR) project, a comprehensive study examining the impact of spaceflight on various physiological aspects. This involves extensive sample collection – blood, urine, and saliva – before, during, and after the 10-day mission. Researchers will analyze these samples to monitor changes in cardiovascular health, nutrition, immunity, and stress levels throughout the different phases of training, spaceflight, and recovery.
Beyond bodily fluids, the astronauts will wear wrist sensors to continuously monitor their sleep patterns and movement throughout the mission. This data, combined with pre- and post-flight evaluations, will offer critical insights into the astronauts' alertness, stress levels, and teamwork effectiveness in the demanding environment of deep space. Furthermore, saliva samples will be collected on specialized dab papers to conserve space and power aboard the Orion spacecraft. Analysis of these samples will focus on the reactivation of dormant viruses, a phenomenon observed on the ISS where stress has been linked to outbreaks of illnesses like chickenpox and shingles.
In a unique approach, the Artemis 2 mission also includes 'avatars' – thumb-sized blood samples grown to simulate bone marrow on organ-on-a-chip devices. These will travel through the Van Allen radiation belts, allowing scientists to study the effects of deep space radiation and microgravity on bone marrow in real-time. The results will then be compared to data gathered from the ISS to assess the accuracy of this innovative technology in predicting tissue responses outside Earth's protective magnetosphere.
Radiation monitoring will also be crucial. While Artemis 1 carried thousands of sensors, Artemis 2 utilizes a more streamlined approach with six active sensors inside the cabin and personal dosimeters worn by the astronauts. These will track radiation levels, alerting the crew to any potentially dangerous spikes, allowing them to utilize the spacecraft's protective features, such as utilizing the heatshield and water canisters as makeshift radiation shielding.
The Artemis 2 mission signifies a pivotal moment in human space exploration, not only pushing the boundaries of lunar travel but also advancing our understanding of the profound effects of deep space on the human body, paving the way for future long-duration missions to the Moon and beyond.
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Originally published at: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/artemis-2-astronauts-will-double-as-human-science-experiments-on-their-trip-around-the-moon
