NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

Relevant Technical 

Requirements

Sleep 

Accommodations

OCHMO-TB-041

Rev B

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1, Rev C

[V1 3003] In-Mission Preventive Health Care 

[V1 3004] In-Mission Medical Care 

[V1 4011] Mission Cognitive State 

[V1 4014] In-Mission Completion of Critical 

Tasks 

[V1 5002] Astronaut Training 

[V1 6001] Circadian Shifting Operations and 

Fatigue Management 

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev D

[V2 3006] Human-Centered Task Analysis 

[V2 6013] Crew Performance Environmental 

Zone 

[V2 6017] Atmospheric Control 

[V2 6079] Crew Sleep Continuous Noise 

Limits 

[V2 6080] Intermittent Noise Limits 

[V2 6082] Annoyance Noise Limits for Crew 

Sleep 

[V2 6092] Vibration Exposure Limits during 

Sleep 

[V2 7038] Physiological Countermeasures 

Capability 

[V2 7070] Sleep Accommodation 

[V2 7071] Behavioral Health and Privacy 

[V2 7073] Partial-g Sleeping 

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation

[V2 8013] Intravehicular Translation Paths 

[V2 8033] Restraints for Crew Tasks

Executive Summary

Astronauts must maintain a high level of 

cognitive performance during every phase of 

the mission. Top tier performance depends on 

the ability to acquire an adequate quantity of 

daily sleep and the appropriate sleep quality.

Previous spaceflight experience has shown 

that astronauts commonly experience sleep 

deprivation. Additionally, due to the nature of 

spaceflight, circadian disturbances are present. 

Together, these two aspects lead to fatigue 

and errors while performing tasks. Evidence 

from short- and long-duration missions and 

other relevant environments suggests that 

environmental factors (e.g., noise, 

temperature, vibration, and light) inhibit sleep 

and impact well-being in space.

Thus, for crewmembers to achieve optimal 

sleep, they must be provided with a sleep 

environment that allows them to achieve 

quality sleep, free of external disruptions.
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Relevant Technical 

Requirements

Executive Summary (continued)

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren poses 

for a portrait inside a crew sleeping 

bag aboard the ISS. Photo: NASA

2

Volume 2, Rev D

[V2 8049] Window Light Blocking

[V2 8050] Window Accessory 

Replacement/Operation without Tools 

[V2 8051] Illumination Levels

[V2 8055] Physiological Effects of Light 

(Circadian Entrainment) 

[V2 8056] Lighting Controls 

[V2 9057] Hearing Protection Provision 

[V2 5007] Cognitive Workload 

[V2 10200] Physical Workload

10/23/2023

Rev B

Houston We Have a Podcast:

For episode 58, Dr. Tom Williams discusses isolation and 

confinement. His focus is on habitability and behavioral 

health and performance risks to space flight, and he 

leads a research team that looks into isolation. 

Ep. 58: Hazard 2: Isolation | NASA
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Background

3

Performance

o Studies on sleep and circadian cycle have 

reported that after seven days of six hours of 

sleep, a person’s performance is equal to that 

of a person who has not slept for 24 to 36 

consecutive hours.

o Lack of sleep slows mental processes and 

compromises reasoning ability and memory, 

with worrying consequences upon the 

crewmembers’ return, the efficiency, and the 

safety of the mission (Monk, 1996).

o Some brain regions may "sleep" following 

insufficient sleep, leading to reductions in 

operational performance. During spaceflight, 

while performing daily tasks, brain regions 

could shut down for "local sleep” (Vyazovskiy, 

2011).

Cognitive abilities 

o Sleep loss and fatigue can cause errors in judgment and 

impairments to memory and cognition (Walker, 2004).

o The performance of critical tasks is impaired in an 

environment where there is limited outside help 

available. The interdependency of many on-board tasks 

means that the consequences of individual failure at 

carrying out one task component is multiplied and 

could potentially compromise the entire mission. In 

certain circumstances, these errors can produce huge 

economic losses or even loss of life (Reason, 2006).

o Poor sleep can also affect sustained attention. Sleep 

deprivation leads to reduced activation of attentional 

networks (in the frontal and parietal lobes) during a 

range of cognitive tasks (Lim and Dinges, 2010).

o Research on the effects of sleep deprivation has found 

that sleep-deprived subjects “performed considerably 

worse on motor tasks, cognitive tasks, and measures 

of mood than non-sleep-deprived subjects,” with 

multiple days of partial sleep deprivation (i.e., chronic 

sleep loss) showing the most significant impact on 

cognitive performance (Pilcher & Huffcutt, 1996, as 

cited in Whitmire et al., 2008).

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Background

Causes of sleep loss during spaceflight 

In human spaceflight, sleep duration and sleep quality of astronauts are adversely affected by a 

combination of factors:

4

Examples of issues reported by crewmembers:

• Gemini: Sleep-work schedules were responsible for considerable sleep disruption and circadian 

misalignment during the Gemini missions due to the need for one member of a two-crew operation 

to be awake at all times. 

• Apollo 11: Astronauts did not have hammocks and attempted to make themselves comfortable on 

the floor. Cited reasons they were unable to sleep include (1) the suits were uncomfortable, (2) the 

cabin was cold, (3) there was noise from a glycol pump in the Environmental Control System, and (4) 

sunlight was leaking into the cabin around the window shades and through the Alignment Optical 

Telescope.

• Apollo 14: The crew slept very little 

because of muscle soreness in the legs 

and lower back.

• ISS: Temperature on the ISS is between 

18° and 27° Celsius and the humidity 

between 30 and 65%. The air must be 

cleared continuously to avoid carbon 

dioxide to stall around astronaut’s 

faces. 

“Every time that I got into it and closed my eyes I feel like falling. Now I have learned that I string out my sleeping 

bags like a hammock and make it as tight as I can and then I get in it and zip it up and use those Velcro® straps and 

make it as tight as I can. I need to feel like I am tied down to something touching something, or I feel like I am falling 

and it will wake me up” (NASA, 2001).

Sleep loss

Environmental conditions: 

Microgravity, pressure, 

elevated CO2 levels, 

lighting, habitat layout, 

location of sleep quarters, 

lack of privacy, noise, 

temperature, and 

humidity.

Individual 

vulnerabilities: 

Medication use, 

sleep hygiene.

Mission conditions: 

Workload, slam shifting, 

work schedule, lack of 

sensory stimulation, 

exercise, sleep schedule, 

and confinements.

Sleep 

quality

Sleep

quantity

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference Data

5

• According to the National Sleep Foundation and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, an average 

adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep for optimal daytime functioning. Consolidated sleep can only occur 

when timed at the correct circadian phase.

• Sleep is vital for keeping normal physical and mental health, cognition, and work performance for 

everyone, including astronauts. 

• Numerous studies have been conducted to describe the nature of sleep in space and to quantify the 

frequency and magnitude of sleep loss. These studies have shown that astronauts sleep an average of 

about six hours while in space, irrespective of the spaceflight mission examined or methodology used 

to quantify sleep. 

• This amount of sleep is less than the amount recommended by the National Sleep Foundation and the 

American Academy of Sleep Medicine to maintain satisfactory alertness, performance, and health. 

(NASA Human Research Program Evidence Report, NASA 2016).

• Studies have also reported that astronauts commonly experience circadian misalignment 

because of the absence of the 24-hour day-night cycle.

NASA Human Research Program Evidence Report, NASA 2016

Average Sleep deficit is approximately 0.3 hours (18 minutes) per day comparing inflight to ground 

(3 months prior to launch).

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference Data

6

Sleep-Wake Actigraphy During Spaceflight 

• Average nightly sleep duration for both shuttle and ISS is 6-6.5 hours.

• Sleep duration at R+7 increases to approximately 7 hours, indicative of a sleep debt. 

• There is a higher use of sleep-promoting drugs inflight.

• There was no significant difference in total sleep time with and without sleep medications, although time 

to fall asleep was reduced with hypnotics (by 8.5 minutes).

• Reasons cited by ISS crewmembers for reduced sleep on orbit: voids, noise, temperature, physical 

discomfort, and mission conditions.

Reference:

Barger, L.K., et al. (2014). Prevalence of sleep deficiency and use of hypnotic drugs in astronauts before, during, and after

spaceflight: an observational study. Lancet Neurology, 13(9): 904-912. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1474-4422(14)70122-x

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference Data

7

Effects of sleep loss on crew health and performance

Sleep loss is associated with numerous negative short and long-term performance and medical 

consequences:

Sleep Deprived 

Astronaut

Performance 

Errors Fatigue

Team Decrements Mood & Morale

Cognitive & 

Behavioral Health

Hazards of sleep loss can vary from errors to crew loss and mission failure. 

Behavioral

• Sleep loss can also be a behavioral stressor and lead to depressive symptoms, anxiety, and other 

adverse behaviors.

• Sleep deprivation has also been linked to behaviors that may compromise team interactions and 

performance. These include increased outward expression of hostility, a greater tendency to blame 

others, and less willingness to alleviate conflict by accepting blame (Kahn-Greenea, Lipizzia, Conrada, 

Kamimori, & Killgore, 2006).

• In simulated military operations after 36 hours of sleep deprivation, team members requested less 

information and engaged in less discussion of strategy regarding the movement of assets or 

coordination of team actions than when they were rested (Harville, Barnes, & Elliott, 2004).

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference Data

8

Previous sleep deprivation-related accidents 

Sleep debt is the cumulative effect of reduced sleep that can accumulate faster than one 

might expect. The only way to repay sleep debt is with good-quality sleep. Long-term sleep 

debt can turn into acute sleep deprivation, adversely affecting overall health, immune 

system functioning, ability to concentrate, and the ability to make informed decisions. Some 

of the most devastating disasters in recent history have a direct link to sleep deprivation:

Nuclear: the Chernobyl disaster

26th April 1986, Chernobyl, Russia (Ukraine) 

Sleep deprivation, long hours, tight deadlines, 

and working at night are implicated as 

contributing factors.

Oil and gas: the Exxon Valdez oil spill

24th March 1989, United States

The vessel moved out of its designated lane to avoid ice and then failed to return to their 

lane, resulting in an impact with the reef. Sleep deprivation and fatigue are speculated to be 

a contributing cause to the worker’s inability to return the vessel to its correct lane before it 

struck the reef. 

Transportation: Great Heck High-Speed Train Crash

28th February 2001, United Kingdom

A driver fell asleep while driving a Land Rover that was pulling a trailer on the M62. He was 

able to make it out of his vehicle just 60 seconds before a passenger train struck it and 

derailed. Shortly after, a second train traveling northbound plowed into the wreckage. The 

crash claimed ten lives.

Chernobyl disaster site

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

9

Design Considerations 

Sleep is critical to crewmember health and performance, especially for missions that are longer and have 

greater autonomy. For crewmembers to achieve optimal sleep, they must be provided with a sleep 

environment that allows them to achieve quality sleep, free of external disruption. This includes:

• Appropriate sleep system: The type and volume depend on mission duration, mission scenario, and 

available volume.

o Implementation can be done at different levels from sleep areas, beds, and larger private crew 

quarters containing waste and hygiene management (separated from sleep areas as much as 

possible). [V2 8001] Volume Allocation

o Bedding should be soft and easy to clean.

o In general, short-duration missions (< 14 days) may require only temporary sleep areas. 

o Non-dedicated crew areas used for sleep during short-duration missions should be easy and fast 

to set up and takedown (e.g., sleeping bag). 

o Sleep preparation operations that require excessive time can result in reduced sleeping time, 

leading to sleep deprivation and decreased crew performance. Sleep areas should be easy to 

ingress and egress.

o For long-duration missions (>30 days), crewmembers should have dedicated quarters that 

provide privacy, and crew-quarter design should incorporate features that contribute to feelings 

of comfort, privacy, and other aspects of behavioral health. [V2 7071] Behavioral Health and 

Privacy 

• Sufficient surface area and volume: For the largest crewmember, as well as the expected body postures 

and ranges of motion for sleeping (particularly the knees-to-chest posture to alleviate spaceflightassociated back pain); stowage of operational and personal equipment; donning and doffing clothing; 

and recreation and relaxation. (e.g., reading, using a computer and other personal items).

• Efficient schedule: Mission task analysis should plan for a reasonable rest-work schedule to allow enough 

time for sleep. [V1 6001] Circadian Shifting Operations and Fatigue Management; [V2 3006] HumanCentered Task Analysis

• Provision of radiation protection: The radiation 

shielding requirements will vary because of exposure 

to different types and levels of radiation. Aboard the 

space station, hydrogen-rich shielding such as 

polyethylene is most frequently used in sleeping 

quarters to further minimize radiation exposure.

[V2 7070] Sleep Accommodation The 

system shall provide volume, restraint, 

accommodations, environmental control 

(e.g., vibration, lighting, noise, and 

temperature), and degree of privacy for 

sleep for each crewmember, to support 

overall crew health and performance. From: 

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev D

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

10

Design Considerations 

Environmental control: Crewmembers need to have the ability to control the following sleep system 

aspects:

• Lighting: Exposure to light at inappropriate times leads to circadian misalignment, which causes sleep 

disruption. Short duration vehicles should, at a minimum, ensure that white light in sleeping areas have 

dimmable general illumination settings that minimize short-wavelength light to mitigate against 

inadvertently suppressing melatonin during the biological night. For vehicles supporting long duration 

missions (>30 days), lighting systems should provide white light composed of at least three different 

configurations of correlated color, temperature and intensity: one for general purpose illumination, one 

for pre-sleep, and another to facilitate alertness and schedule shifting. These settings should be 

implemented at specific times relative to the day-night cycle. See OCHMO-TB-026 Lighting Design.

• Ventilation: Adequate ventilation of the sleeping area is required to preclude unacceptable carbon 

dioxide levels and odors in head positions. Generally, ventilation flow should be from the head area 

down to the foot area. See OCHMO-TB-002 ECLSS and OCHMO-TB-004 Carbon Dioxide.

• Temperature: Given that there are broad individual differences in the optimal temperature for sleep, 

the sleep environment on space vehicles should be cool, but there should be sufficient insulation

• available for crewmembers to modify their environment to suit 

individual preferences. [V2 6013] Crew Performance 

Environmental Zone 

• Minimal vibration: Crewmembers could potentially free-float 

during sleep due to microgravity. However, some crewmembers 

prefer to be secured to the wall, necessitating minimization of 

vibration. Attachments should be available to secure the 

sleeping bag to the wall of the sleep chamber if desired (FlynnEvans et al., 2016). [V2 6092] Vibration Exposure Limits during 

Sleep

• Noise: For missions ≤30 days, acoustic levels during sleep are 

limited to NC-50 (NASA-STD-3001 Vol 2 Rev C [V2 6078] 

Continuous Noise Limits). Intermittent and impulse noises 

during sleep are controlled by the NASA-STD-3001 Vol 2 Rev C 

[V2 6082] Annoyance Noise Limits for Crew Sleep. Noise 

emanating from common areas has been shown to be 

disruptive to sleep. For a crewmember to relax, a quiet 

environment is to be provided during crew sleep. In missions 

>30 days, the NC-40 limit provides adequate auditory rest. See 

OCHMO-TB-035 Acoustics.

NASA astronaut Jack "2Fish" Fischer 

inhabits a personal sleep station inside the 

International Space Station. Photo: NASA

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Back-Up

11 10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Rev A  Rev B

• Updated information to be consistent with NASA-STD-3001 

Volume 1 Rev C and Volume 2 Rev D.

Original Rev A

• Updated information to be consistent with NASA-STD-3001 

Volume 1 Rev B and Volume 2 Rev C.

Major Changes Between Revisions

12 10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1 Revision C

[V1 3003] In-Mission Preventive Health Care All programs shall provide training, in-mission capabilities, 

and resources to monitor physiological and psychosocial well-being and enable delivery of in-mission 

preventive health care, based on epidemiological evidence-based probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) that 

takes into account the needs and limitations of each specific design reference mission (DRM), and 

parameters such as mission duration, expected return time to Earth, mission route and destination, 

expected radiation profile, concept of operations, and more. The term “in-mission” covers all phases of 

the mission, from launch, through landing on a planetary body and all surface activities entailed, up to 

landing back on Earth. In-mission preventive care includes, but is not limited to: (see NASA-STD-3001, 

Volume 1 Rev C for full standard).

[V1 3004] In-Mission Medical Care All programs shall provide training, in-mission medical capabilities, 

and resources to diagnose and treat potential medical conditions based on epidemiological evidencebased PRA, clinical practice guidelines and expertise, historical review, mission parameters, and vehiclederived limitations. These analyses should consider the needs and limitations of each specific DRM and 

vehicles. The term “in-mission” covers all phases of the mission, from launch, through landing on a 

planetary body and all surface activities entailed, up to landing back on Earth. In-mission capabilities 

(including hardware and software), resources (including consumables), and training to enable in-mission 

medical care, are to include, but are not limited to: see NASA-STD-3001, Volume 1 Rev C for full standard).

[V1 4011] Mission Cognitive State Pre-mission, in-mission, and post-mission crew behavioral health and 

crewmember cognitive state shall be within clinically accepted values as judged by behavioral health 

evaluation.

[V1 4014] In-Mission Completion of Critical Tasks The planned number of hours for completion of critical 

tasks and events, workday, and planned sleep period shall have established limits to assure continued 

crew health and safety.

[V1 5002] Astronaut Training Beginning with the astronaut candidate year, general medical training, 

including but not limited to, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), altitude physiological training, 

carbon dioxide exposure training, familiarization with medical issues, procedures of space flight, 

psychological training, and supervised physical conditioning training shall be provided to the astronaut 

corps.

[V1 6001] Circadian Shifting Operations and Fatigue Management Crew schedule planning and 

operations shall be provided to include circadian entrainment, work/rest schedule assessment, task 

loading assessment, countermeasures, and special activities.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

[V2 3006] Human-Centered Task Analysis Each human spaceflight program or project shall perform a 

human-centered task analysis to support systems and operations design. 

[V2 6013] Crew Performance Environmental Zone The system shall be capable of reaching atmospheric 

humidity and temperatures of nominally occupied habitable volumes within the zone provided in Figure 

6.2-3—Crew Performance Environmental Zone, during all nominal operations, excluding suited operations, 

ascent, entry, landing, and post landing.

Referenced Technical Requirements

13

View the current versions of NASA-STD3001 Volume 1 & Volume 2 on the 

OCHMO Standards website

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

[V2 6017] Atmospheric Control The system shall allow for local and remote control of atmospheric 

pressure, humidity, temperature, ventilation, and ppO2.

[V2 6079] Crew Sleep Continuous Noise Limits For missions greater than 30 days, SPLs of continuous 

noise shall be limited to the values given by the NC-40 curve (see Figure 6.6-1—NC Curves, and Table 6.6-

3—Octave Band SPL Limits for Continuous Noise, dB re 20 μPa) in crew quarters and sleep areas. Hearing 

protection cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.

[V2 6080] Intermittent Noise Limits For hardware items that operate for eight hours or less (generating 

intermittent noise), the maximum noise emissions (not including impulse noise), measured 0.6 m from 

the loudest hardware surface, shall be determined according to Table 6.6-4—Intermittent Noise AWeighted SPL and Corresponding Operational Duration Limits for any 24-hour period (measured at 0.6 m 

distance from the source). Hearing protection cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.

[V2 6082] Annoyance Noise Limits for Crew Sleep With the exception of communications and alarms, the 

system shall limit impulse and intermittent noise levels at the crewmember’s head location to 10 dB 

above background noise levels during crew sleep periods. Hearing protection cannot be used to satisfy 

this requirement.

[V2 6092] Vibration Exposure Limits during Sleep The system shall limit vibration to the crew such that 

the acceleration between 1.0 and 80 Hz in each of the X, Y, and Z axes, weighted in accordance with ISO 

20283-5, Mechanical Vibration—Measurement of Vibration on Ships; Part 5 - Guidelines for the 

Measurement, Evaluation and Reporting of Vibration with Regard to Habitability on Passenger and 

Merchant Ships, Annex A, is less than 0.01 g (0.1 m/s2) RMS for each two-minute interval during the crew 

sleep period.

[V2 7038] Physiological Countermeasures Capability The system shall provide countermeasures to meet 

crew bone, muscle, sensorimotor, thermoregulation, and aerobic/cardiovascular requirements defined in 

NASA-STD-3001, Volume 1.

[V2 7070] Sleep Accommodation The system shall provide volume, restraint, accommodations, 

environmental control (e.g., vibration, lighting, noise, and temperature), and degree of privacy for sleep 

for each crewmember, to support overall crew health and performance.

[V2 7071] Behavioral Health and Privacy For long duration missions (>30 days), individual privacy facilities 

shall be provided. 

[V2 7073] Partial-g Sleeping The system shall provide for horizontal sleep surface areas for partial-g and 1-

g environments.

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation The system shall provide the defined habitable volume and layout to 

physically accommodate crew operations and living.

[V2 8013] Intravehicular Translation Paths The system shall provide intravehicular activity (IVA) 

translation paths that allow for safe and unencumbered movement of suited and unsuited crew and 

equipment.

[V2 8033] Restraints for Crew Tasks The system shall provide restraints for expected crew operations. 

[V2 8049] Window Light Blocking Each system window shall provide a means to prevent external light 

from entering the crew compartment, such that the interior light level can be reduced to 2.0 lux at 0.5 m 

(20 in) from each window.

Referenced Technical Requirements

14

View the current versions of NASA-STD3001 Volume 1 & Volume 2 on the 

OCHMO Standards website

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

[V2 8050] Window Accessory Replacement/Operation without Tools System window accessories 

designed for routine use shall be operable by one crewmember and be removable or replaceable without 

the use of tools.

[V2 8051] Illumination Levels For interior architectures and exterior operations that do not include the 

presence of orbital sunlight, the system shall provide illumination levels to support the range of expected 

crew tasks, at minimum, per Table 8.7-1—Surface Illuminance Levels, that accommodate both human 

observers and remote camera systems.

[V2 8055] Physiological Effects of Light (Circadian Entrainment) The system shall provide the levels of 

light to support the physiological effects of light in accordance with Table 8.7-2—Physiological Lighting 

Specifications.

[V2 8056] Lighting Controls Lighting systems shall have on-off controls.

[V2 9057] Hearing Protection Provision Appropriate personal hearing protection shall be provided to the 

crew during all mission phases for contingency or personal preference.

[V2 5007] Cognitive Workload The system shall provide crew interfaces that result in Bedford Workload

Scale ratings of 3 or less for nominal tasks and 6 or less for tasks performed under degraded system 

conditions. 

[V2 10200] Physical Workload The system shall provide crew interfaces that result in a Borg-CR10 rating 

of perceived exertion (RPE) of 4 (somewhat strong) or less.

Referenced Technical Requirements

15

View the current versions of NASA-STD3001 Volume 1 & Volume 2 on the 

OCHMO Standards website

10/23/2023

Rev B
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-041 Sleep Accommodations

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference List

1. Barger LK, et al. (2014). Prevalence of sleep deficiency and use of hypnotic drugs in astronauts before, 

during, and after spaceflight: an observational study. Lancet Neurol, 13, 904–912.

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20190002008

2. Flynn-Evans EE, Barger LK, Kubey AA, Sullivan JP, Czeisler CA. (2016). Circadian misalignment affects 

sleep and medication use before and during spaceflight. npj Microgravity, 2(15019).

3. Dismukes K. (2003). Space Sleep. NASA Human Space Flight. 

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/living/spacesleep/index.html. 

4. Sgobba T and Schlacht IL. (2018). Habitability and habitat design. Space Safety and Human Performance, 

653-719.

5. Kim SJ, Chai SK, Lee KW, Park JB. (2014). Exposure–Response Relationship Between Aircraft Noise and 

Sleep Quality: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study. Osong Public Health and Research 

Perspectives, 5(2).

6. Habitability Design. (2015). https://www.nasa.gov/feature/habitability-design

7. Human Integration Design Handbook, Rev 1. (2014). https://www.nasa.gov/feature/human-integrationdesign

8. Evidence Report: Risk of Performance Decrements and Adverse, Health Outcomes Resulting from Sleep 

Loss, Circadian Desynchronization, and Work Overload. (2016). NASA Human Research Program. 

https://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/Evidence/reports/Sleep.pdf

9. Wu B, Wang Y, Wu X, Liu D, Xu D, Wang F. (2018). On-orbit sleep problems of astronauts and 

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