What Can Artemis II Astronauts' Saliva Tell Us?

Saliva can tell us a lot about astronaut health. Before, during, and after their trek around the Moon, Artemis II astronauts will collect saliva samples. These samples will help scientists probe how the immune system reacts to deep space, so that NASA can ensure that humans, rather than viruses, thrive in space as we venture to the Moon, Mars, and beyond! Watch to learn more. Join NASA as we go forward to the Moon and on to Mars -- discover the latest on Earth, the Solar System and beyond with a weekly update in your inbox. Subscribe at: https://www.nasa.gov/subscribe

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What can Artemis II astronauts saliva tell us? Saliva can tell us a lot about astronaut health. Just one Just one tiny sample provides a window into what's happening into a crew members body. When Artemis II flies around the Moon, the crew will provide saliva samples for a study called Immune Biomarkers, which probes how the immune system reacts to deep space travel. This research builds on studies we've done before.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station collect liquid saliva samples with tiny oral swabs that roll around in their mouths. They also provide dry samples by blotting their saliva onto special paper that's carefully preserved at room temperature and brought back to Earth for analysis. Artemis missions won't have much onboard room or refrigerator to store liquid samples. As a result, crew members will take dry samples periodically during their missions so that researchers can see how their immune system changes over time. NASA has been using saliva samples to help understand astronauts’ health for decades.

During the Shuttle Program, they discovered that dormant viruses in our bodies, including the one that causes shingles, can reawaken in space. Researchers are unsure why this happens, but think it has something to do with how the body responds to the extreme environment of space, including changes to circadian rhythms, stress, diet, radiation exposure, and weightlessness. By knowing more about how deep space travel affects the immune system, Artemis missions will help NASA ensure that humans, rather than viruses, thrive in space. thrive in space, as we venture onward to the Red Planet and beyond.

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