Human Health and Performance
The Human Health and Performance (HH&P) Directorate is the primary organization focused on humans living, working and thriving in space, on the moon and on to Mars. Our mission is to lead the global spaceflight community in protecting astronaut health and ensuring human mission performance.
Our Organization
All HH&P functions are ultimately aimed at achieving our mission, “HH&P capabilities enable optimization of human health and performance throughout all phases of spaceflight.” Our activities enable mission success, optimizing human health and productivity in space before, during, and after the actual space flight experience of our flight crews, and include support for ground-based functions.
Mission and Goals
Exploring Space | Enhancing Life
The Human Health and Performance Directorate (HH&P) is the primary organization focused on enhancing crew health and performance and mitigating the risks associated with human spaceflight. With three offices, three divisions and over 900 employees, all HH&P functions are ultimately aimed at achieving our mission: optimizing human health and performance throughout all phases of spaceflight
Leadership Team
Michelle A. Frieling currently serves as the Director of the Human Health and Performance Directorate. Learn about the HH&P leadership team members.
Education and Outreach
The Human Health and Performance Directorate and the Human Research Program offer a wide variety of educational opportunities ranging from short internships to in-depth research fellowships and NASA grants.
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Human System Risks
Risk is inherent in human spaceflight. However, specific risks can and should be understood, managed, and mitigated to reduce threats posed to astronauts.
TREAT Astronauts Act
The TREAT Astronauts Act authorizes NASA to monitor, diagnose, and treat medical and psychological conditions associated with spaceflight.
HH&P News
Read the latest HH&P News
Human Health Capabilities
Space Food Systems
Crew Health and Safety
Cardiovascular and Vision
EVA and Environmental Physiology
Flight Surgeons
Nutritional Biochemistry
Immunology and Virology
Pharmacotherapeutics
Biomedical Flight Controllers
Behavioral Health
Medical and Clinical
Space Cell Biology
Neuroscience
Space Environment Capabilities
Human Performance and Human Systems Engineering Capabilities
Astronaut Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation
Anthropometry, Injury Biomechanics, & Ergonomics
Human Systems Engineering
Habitability Design
Core Laboratory
Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures
Bone and Mineral Evaluation and Analysis
Statistics and Data Science
Explore Related Sites
Johnson Space Center
For more than 60 years, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX has led our nation and the world on a continuing adventure of human exploration, discovery and achievement.
Human Research Program
NASA's astronauts must be able to perform at peak productivity under even the most daunting conditions. The Human Research Program (HRP) is dedicated to discovering the best methods and technologies to support safe, productive human space travel.
OCHMO
The Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO) is the principle office responsible for the administration of health and medical policy and oversight of related activities at NASA.
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Get our contact information, explore our FAQs, find open positions, and more.
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