# NASA Updates Spaceflight Health Risk Protocols

NASA's recent working group has issued updated recommendations addressing health risks such as decompression sickness (DCS), venous thromboembolism (VTE), and patent foramen ovale (PFO) for Artemis lunar and beyond missions. These updates include enhanced screening protocols, medication guidance, and risk management strategies aimed at safeguarding astronaut health during extended spaceflight operations. This development signals NASA's commitment to advancing human spaceflight safety and may influence procurement requirements for medical screening technologies, pharmaceuticals, and health monitoring systems supporting crewed missions.

- NASA's Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO) is leading implementation of these updated health risk mitigation protocols.
- Procurement professionals should anticipate potential solicitations for advanced medical screening equipment, pharmaceuticals, and health monitoring solutions tailored to spaceflight conditions.
- Contractors specializing in aerospace medicine, biomedical devices, and pharmaceutical development may find emerging opportunities aligned with NASA's updated health risk management strategies.
- Organizations supporting Artemis and future deep space missions should align their offerings with NASA's evolving health standards to remain competitive in upcoming procurements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 22, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO)

### Sources
- [Risks of Decompression Sickness and Venous Thromboembolism during Spaceflight and Patent Foramen Ovale Implications - NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/ochmo/risks-of-decompression-sickness-and-venous-thromboembolism-during-spaceflight-and-patent-foramen-ovale-implications/) - NASA