August 12, 2025

NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are conducting cutting-edge research into how spaceflight affects the human body—specifically the eyes, brain, and circulatory system. The work is part of the CIPHER study, a suite of 14 biomedical investigations aimed at understanding the long-term effects of microgravity.

NASA Flight Engineers Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman performed eye exams using specialized equipment that measures how the retina responds to light. Electrodes placed around Cardman’s eyes and forehead helped track visual changes that may occur during extended missions.

Meanwhile, astronaut Jonny Kim contributed to the study by collecting blood and urine samples and completing cognitive tests designed to monitor changes in balance, memory, and spatial awareness. These insights could help develop future tools like brain scans and task simulations to protect astronaut health on deep-space missions.

The crew also worked on spacesuit maintenance and quantum physics experiments. Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui serviced the Cold Atom Lab, a device that cools atoms to near absolute zero to study quantum behaviors impossible to observe on Earth.

Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky focused on microcirculation, using sensors to measure blood flow in extremities. Their findings may help refine medical protocols for space travel and improve understanding of blood dynamics in weightlessness.

This research is vital for preparing astronauts for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond—where the human body will face even greater challenges.