Although it has now been over 50 years since mankind first ventured into space, the long-term health impacts of human space flight remain largely unknown. Identifying factors that affect survival and prognosis among those who participate in space flight is vitally important, as the era of commercial space flight approaches and NASA prepares for missions to Mars. The Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health is a prospective study designed to examine trends in astronaut morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this analysis was to describe and explore predictors of overall and cause-specific mortality among individuals selected for the U.S. astronaut corps. All U.S. astronauts (n=321), regardless of flight status, were included in this analysis. Death certificate searches were conducted to ascertain vital status and cause of death through April 2009. Data were collected from medical records and lifestyle questionnaires. Multivariable Cox regression modeling was used to calculate the mortality hazard associated with embarking on space flight, adjusted for sex, race, and age at selection. Between 1959 and 2009, there were 39 (12.1%) deaths. Of these deaths, 18 (42.2%) were due to occupational accidents; 7 (17.9%) were due to other accidents; 6 (15.4%) were attributable to cancer; 6 (15.4%) resulted from cardiovascular/circulatory diseases; and 2 (5.1%) were from other causes. Participation in space flight did not significantly increase mortality hazard over time (adjusted hazard ratio=0.57; 95% confidence interval=0.26-1.26. Because our results are based on a small sample size, future research that includes payload specialists, other space flight participants, and international crew members is warranted to maximize statistical power.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    An Update on Mortality in the U.S. Astronaut Corps: 1959-2009


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    American Public Health Association Conference ; 2009 ; Philadelphia, PA, United States


    Publication date :

    2009-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health: Mortality in the Years 1959-91

    United States; National Aeronautics and Space Administration / United States; Air Force / University of Houston-Clear Lake | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1992


    The Single European Astronaut Corps

    Feustel-Büechl, J. | Online Contents | 1998


    Space News - BELGIAN ASTRONAUT JOINS ESA CORPS

    Ninane, Philippe | Online Contents | 1999


    Atrial Fibrillation Among the NASA Astronaut Corps

    Charvat, Jacqueline / Lee, Stuart / Stenger, Michael et al. | NTRS | 2020


    Baseline characteristics of different strata of astronaut corps

    Hamm, Peggy B. / Pepper, L. J. | NTRS | 1993