Studying blood flow to Moon landing: New Space Station mission is all things science

As Nasa’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission readies for launch, the crew is set to embark on a long-duration science expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

This mission emphasises human health research in microgravity, with experiments probing how astronauts' bodies adapt to space's low-gravity environment.

Key studies, spearheaded by Nasa’s Human Research Program, aim to safeguard crews for future deep-space voyages like Artemis lunar landings and Mars missions.

WHAT IS NASA'S CREW-12 MISSION?

Nasa's Crew-12 mission is the 12th rotational mission to the International Space Station as part of its commercial crew program.

The Crew includes Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, Nasa astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot.

The four astronauts will launch on a six-month mission to the Space Station on February 12 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. They are replacing the Crew-11 astronauts, who had an early return due to a rare medical emergency in January 2026.

WHAT WILL CREW-12 DO IN SPACE?

The Crew-12 will conduct multiple science experiments in space, which include a flagship investigation, Venous Flow, that targets the risk of blood clots from fluid shifts in weightlessness.

Bodily fluids redistribute toward the head, potentially disrupting circulation and heightening stroke dangers. "Our goal is to understand how these shifts affect clotting risk, building strategies to keep astronauts safe on Moon and Mars trips," said Dr. Jason Lytle, lead physiologist at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Crew members will conduct self-ultrasounds of jugular veins, monitor blood pressure, and collect samples in orbit. Preflight and postflight protocols include MRIs, scans, and blood draws for analysis.

These insights could redefine countermeasures for prolonged missions.

Complementing this, the Manual Piloting study simulates lunar South Pole landings, the prime Artemis target.

Astronauts will fly virtual spacecraft before, during, and after their stay, testing piloting amid gravitational transitions. "Disorientation rises with time in space, challenging landings even if automated," noted Dr. Scott Wood, Nasa Johnson neuroscientist coordinating the effort.

Participants must demonstrate override skills, redirecting vehicles manually. Debuting on Crew-11, it recruits seven short-mission (up to 30 days) and 14 long-mission (106+ days) astronauts, plus ground controls for comparison. Findings will refine training for Artemis crews.

Other probes tackle spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), which impairs vision. Daily B-vitamin supplements will be tested for relief.

Post-landing, crews document injuries like bruises from gravity shifts, informing spacecraft designers for better occupant protection.

These studies underscore Nasa's push for resilient explorers. By decoding microgravity's toll, from circulation woes to disorientation, Crew-12 paves the way for humanity's multi-planetary future.