NASA's Human Research Program is asking academia and industry to propose research questions, data, and technologies to monitor the health of astronauts on the Moon. The process is open until September 8, but does not currently involve funding or selecting proposals for implementation.
The Human Research Program NASA Asks researchers, academic institutions, companies, and government bodies to propose ideas for human health research inMoon baseFuture. The information request is open until September 8, 2026, and Israeli entities with appropriate knowledge can also respond to it.
The request is defined as an RFI — Request for Information for Planning Purposes. NASA emphasizes that this is not a call for research funding, a tender, or a selection of technologies to be flown to the Moon. The responses will be used by the agency to formulate future research directions for the Human Exploration Program.
The request addresses a period in which short missions to the Moon will gradually be replaced by longer stays. In the early stages of development, NASA is asking what data it would be worth collecting from astronauts who would live and work on the Moon's surface for about a week to a month.
What data and technologies will be required?
NASA is seeking answers to four main groups of questions: what medical and physiological problems can be investigated using data from lunar missions; what health and functional information should be collected; what instruments, technologies, and research capabilities should be placed on the base; and what questions can be tested using unmanned robotic missions before additional crews arrive.
Proposals should be assigned to one of three areas: human factors and behavioral performance, countermeasures to protect human health, and space radiation research.
The call may be of interest to Israeli researchers and companies working in wearable sensors, continuous medical monitoring, remote diagnostics, medical data analysis, artificial intelligence, radiation protection materials, and compact treatment systems. However, submitting a response does not guarantee a contract with NASA or participation in the Artemis mission.
The risks of living on the moon
Knowledge about the effects of prolonged spaceflight is based primarily on missions in low Earth orbit, where astronauts are still significantly protected by the magnetosphere and can, in an emergency, return to Earth in a relatively short time.
The Moon presents different conditions. Gravity on its surface is about one-sixth that on Earth, and the effects of prolonged exposure to partial gravity are not yet fully understood. In addition, crews will be exposed to stronger radiation, fine lunar dust, isolation, and a hostile, enclosed environment.
In the event of a medical emergency, it will not be possible to quickly evacuate the astronauts to a hospital. However, the distance does not prevent consultation with doctors on Earth: it takes about 1.3 seconds for a radio signal to reach the Earth from the Moon. Therefore, it will be possible to provide advice in almost real time, but the team will also need the ability to perform tests and treatments themselves, especially in the event of a malfunction or loss of communication.
Artemis II studies have examined changes in the immune system, sleep patterns, crew performance, and physiological metrics, among other things. NASA is now looking to understand what additional measurements will be needed when astronauts not only orbit the moon but also work on its surface.
The Israeli Experience in Radiation Protection
One of the areas in which Israeli technology has already been integrated intoArtemis plan It is the radiation protection vest. AstroRad StemRad's was tested on the Artemis 1 mission using measurement dummies in which thousands of radiation sensors were placed.
A study published in Science Advances based on mission data found that the vest could significantly reduce radiation doses to protected organs during solar particle events. The experiment provides an example of the kind of technologies that deep space mission planners might be interested in.
Developments forSpace medicine They may also find use on Earth, for example in home monitoring of patients, in medicine in isolated areas, and in the operation of diagnostic devices by small teams. However, these applications still depend on development, clinical testing, and adaptation of the technologies to civilian health systems.
How is it served?
Submissions are made through the NSPIRES system. The abstract is limited to 4,000 characters, followed by answers to the questions detailed in the form. The deadline is September 8, 2026 at 23:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Questions and Answers
Does NASA offer funding as part of the application?
No. NASA clarifies that this is a request for information for planning purposes only, and not a request for funded proposals.
Are companies and researchers from Israel allowed to respond?
Yes. NASA invites responses from researchers, universities, companies, government laboratories, and other organizations with appropriate expertise. There is no separate track or special commitment for Israeli entities.
What technologies might be relevant?
Wearable sensors, physiological monitoring, remote diagnostics, radiation protection, mental health support, compact medical equipment and systems that help staff take care of themselves.
Is this already a continuously manned lunar base?
No. NASA is planning a gradual transition from short missions to longer stays. The request also addresses initial missions that will last about a week to a month.
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