NASA Plans Analysis of Radiation Exposure and Health Data from Artemis II Mission

By Charlotte Causit

*Published April 10, 2026*

NASA will analyze health data collected from the Artemis II astronauts to assess the effects of radiation exposure during their mission.

The four astronauts traveled around the Moon, reaching a distance more than 1,000 times greater than the Earth-to-International Space Station (ISS) distance. This marked the farthest journey into space by humans since the Apollo program.

The ISS benefits from Earth's magnetosphere, which provides protection from cosmic rays and solar particles. No such protection exists in the vicinity of the Moon.

NASA considers radiation data collection important for future plans, including establishing a lunar base and missions to Mars.

The agency equipped the Orion capsule with radiation sensors and collected blood samples from the astronauts before launch for comparison with post-mission samples. Saliva samples were gathered during the flight, and crew health was monitored using smartwatches.

NASA also installed advanced computer chips in the capsule designed to simulate physiological functions, such as those of specific organs.

Mission planners selected bone marrow for simulation, as it produces blood cells and ranks among the tissues most rapidly affected by radiation and other stressors, according to Steven Platts, chief scientist of NASA's Human Research Program, in comments to AFP.

Platts stated that the data will help distinguish radiation effects in low Earth orbit from those in deep space.

"It will be good research information for us to see the level of radiation, but also the type of radiation," he said.

NASA anticipates higher levels of galactic cosmic radiation, originating from supernovas and present throughout space, compared to solar radiation, Platts added.

Radiation and Broader Health Effects

Platts noted that radiation, beyond its association with cancer risk, can affect the central nervous system and blood circulation.

"It can lead to inflammation in the brain, and that's one of the things that can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease," he said.

For the Artemis II mission, which lasted 10 days, radiation exposure does not represent a significant immediate risk. However, risks could increase substantially during extended lunar stays.

Health studies of Apollo astronauts provided data decades ago, but monitoring technology has advanced considerably since then, according to Bruce Betts, chief scientist at the Planetary Society, a space advocacy organization.

"There will be a lot of information on the medical side of things," Betts said.

Psychological Factors in Long-Duration Missions

Another key area of study involves psychological effects during extended missions to the Moon or Mars.

Isolation from Earth and confined living spaces could present challenges to astronaut mental health, Platts said.

He described the contrast between the ISS and the Orion capsule as comparable to moving from a six-bedroom house to a camper van.

The Artemis II mission, completed in early 2026, gathered this data as part of NASA's preparations for subsequent Artemis flights and beyond. Radiation sensors recorded exposure levels throughout the 10-day journey, while biological samples and wearable devices provided physiological metrics. The organ-on-chip technology, focused on bone marrow, aims to model tissue responses under deep-space conditions.

Platts emphasized the value of identifying radiation types, with galactic cosmic rays expected to dominate outside Earth's protective field. Historical Apollo data offers a baseline, though modern sensors enable more precise measurements.

Mental health monitoring via smartwatches included metrics like heart rate variability, potentially indicating stress responses. Future missions will build on these findings to mitigate risks for lunar surface operations and Mars transit, which could span years.

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