This study provided longitudinal, real-time data regarding adaptation of the vertebral unit during long-duration space flight to enhance mission completion, countermeasure development, and astronaut health. The ability to assess the crewmember’s musculoskeletal (MSK) system is critical to guide countermeasures, provide functional data for high risk or impact activities, and assess acute injuries which may occur during exploration class space flight or return to Earth. This study had the following specific aims:

1. Determine the accuracy of MSK ultrasound in characterizing the normal and microgravity associated changes in the vertebral unit.
2. Investigate the human factors, level of experience, and training necessary to perform focused cervical and lumbar vertebral MSK ultrasound in microgravity with inexperienced ultrasound operators in parallel with expert operators.
3. Determine the anatomic changes in the vertebral unit during long-duration space flight with astronaut performed vertebral ultrasound.

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Crew health and performance is critical to successful human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. The Human Research Program (HRP) investigates and mitigates the highest risks to human health and performance, providing essential countermeasures and technologies for human space exploration. Risks include physiological and performance effects from hazards such as radiation, altered gravity, and hostile environments, as well as unique challenges in medical support, human factors, and behavioral health support. The HRP utilizes an Integrated Research Plan (IRP) to identify the approach and research activities planned to address these risks, which are assigned to specific Elements within the program. The Human Research Roadmap is the web-based tool for communicating the IRP content.

The Human Research Roadmap is located at: https://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/