NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

Re l eva nt Te c h n i ca l 

Re q u i re m e nt s

Mortality Related to 

Human Spaceflight

OCHMO-TB-012

Rev A

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1, Rev C

[V1 3004] In-Mission Medical Care

[V1 3010] Termination of Care 

[V1 3050] Pre-Mission Crew Mortality Plan

[V1 3051] Pronouncement of Crew Death

[V1 3052] In-Mission Forensic Sample 

Collection

[V1 3053] Crew Mortality Remains Return to 

Earth

[V1 3054] In Situ Disposition of Deceased 

Crewmember Remains

[V1 3055] Surviving Crew Support

[V1 3056] Crew mortality Mishap 

Investigation Plan

[V1 5001] Medical Training 

[V1 5002] Astronaut Training 

[V1 5003] Crew Medical Officer Medical 

Training 

[V1 6002] Private Medical Communication 

(PMC) Schedule

[V1 6003] Private Medical Communications 

Information Delivery

[V1 6004] Behavioral Health and 

Performance Provisions 

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev D

[V2 3006] Human-Centered Task Analysis

[V2 6022] Atmospheric Monitoring and 

Alerting Parameters 

[V2 6023] Trace Constituent Monitoring and 

Alerting

[V2 6061] Environment Cross-Contamination

Executive Summary

Despite screening, health care 

measures, and safety precautions, 

crewmember fatalities are possible 

during spaceflight. Programs must 

establish comprehensive plans that 

make the appropriate decisions in 

terms of protecting the crew and 

mission objectives, determining the 

cause of death, and handling of the 

remains with dignity, honor, and 

respect while working with the crew’s 

families, other federal agencies, and 

international partners, while respecting 

the spiritual, religious and cultural 

aspects of remains handling. A 

spaceflight-related fatality event may 

occur during any operational mission 

phase (pre-flight, inflight, or postflight).
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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.

Overview

• Future missions and program development are now working towards understanding the needs of vehicle 

design and crew safety for any scenario, including those that are now exceeding low earth orbit.

• The death of a crewmember requires medical, psychological, ethical, religious, cultural, and legal 

considerations and would pose significant challenges regarding pronouncement of death, forensic 

sampling, and preparation, containment, and, potentially, final disposition of the remains.

• If a death were to occur during a mission, one of the most immediate and main concerns would be how 

to ensure the safety of the remaining crewmembers. The health of the surviving crew must be 

maintained within the habitable environment as after death, the body begins to decompose and 

becomes a biohazard. In the closed atmosphere of a space vehicle, the natural byproducts of 

decomposition and/or potential pathogens released during the decomposition process could 

contaminate the enclosed vehicle environment.

• Another complex consideration are the responsibilities of the living crewmembers to the deceased. The 

goal is to ensure that the procedures are performed as set forth, professionally, and with dignity and 

respect without compromising the health of the surviving crew.

• To support this goal, the crew needs to receive adequate training in the handling of the remains. 

Considerations for the implications of long-term interment or storage of remains also require significant 

forward planning along with any associated provisions, as well as assessment of surviving crewmembers' 

physical safety and health, and of psychological health before being attempted.

• In the aftermath of a fatality event, there are also time-based limitations on when certain handling 

procedures can be performed due to natural processes occurring with the remains. Additionally, ambient 

environmental conditions in spaceflight missions are different than on Earth with respect to temperature, 

humidity, oxygen, and pressure levels, all playing a role in decomposition of the remains.

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• As we return human missions to the 

moon and begin the exploration of 

deep space and other planetary 

bodies such as Mars, the risks 

associated with spaceflight increase, 

particularly as a function of distance 

from Earth. Crew fatalities during 

spaceflight could be caused by a 

myriad of events, which can include 

medical events, vehicle emergency 

events such as fire, 

depressurization, and release of 

toxic materials into the cabin, 

electrical shock, and insufficient 

access to food and water due to 

supply, contamination, or spoilage.
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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.

United States Military Procedures

International fatalities are sent to Dover Air Force Base in the U.S. for processing. The remains are first 

checked for any unexploded ordinance or other remaining threats. Diagnostics/forensics analysis is 

performed, and then the remains are taken to Mortuary Affairs and dressed in their uniforms.

The family is contacted to determine where they wish the remains to be transported. Compared to 

spaceflight, the military has relatively quick access to refrigeration. The remains are stored at a 

temperature that suppresses decomposition.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner are responsible for the 

complete remains processing.

The staff at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operation (AFMAO) establishes identification through DNA, 

dental, and fingerprint analysis, and autopsy of the remains is performed to determine the cause of death. 

They also prepare fallen members for transport to their final destination as determined by the family.

Reference Data

3

Dover Air Force Base DNA Identification Laboratory 

at Dover Air Force Base

03/01/2024

Rev A
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

4

NASA (ISS) Procedures

In the case of a single crewmember fatality in orbit on the ISS where the circumstances do not drive an 

emergent evacuation of ISS by surviving crewmembers, procedural goals include the collection of forensic 

data, management of remains to ensure containment and prevent contamination of the survivors’ 

habitable environment, and, by providing effective isolation, ensure time for the determination of best 

options for disposition of remains.

ISS has small-volume refrigeration and freezer capabilities with temperature storage ranges of –160°C to 

+4°C. The volume available is exceptionally limited, and using this space would require sacrificing other 

payloads or items requiring refrigeration. Large-volume refrigeration capable of preserving a human body 

is unavailable onboard current launch vehicles or on the ISS. In 2012, an unaltered commercial off-theshelf human remains containment unit (HRCU) was flown to the ISS along with a forensic sampling kit and 

charcoal odor control filtration canisters.

The final disposition of remains will follow, with the ISS Program Office responsible for the final 

determination of remains disposition. For a crew fatality occurring on the ISS, options would be limited to 

the return of remains, jettison to a disposal trajectory, or destructive reentry.

Operational considerations for crew fatality on the International Space Station, from Stepaniak et al. (2023)

03/01/2024

Rev A
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

Legal Jurisdiction

Article VIII of the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer 

Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies specifies that whenever one of the nations that's a party to 

the treaty launches an object — i.e., a spacecraft, satellite or space station — into space, or builds one on a 

celestial body, that nation retains jurisdiction and control over it. Due to this treaty, and subsequently the various 

countries involved in a program, there will likely be complexities in determining who has legal jurisdiction over an 

investigation and even the crewmember remains. It is imperative that agreements are in place prior to a mission 

to ensure the proper handling of an investigation and maintaining international relations.

Investigations are necessary to determine the cause and manner of death and to provide information to prevent 

future fatalities. For NASA astronauts, the medico-legal jurisdiction is delegated from the NASA Administrator to 

the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) per current policy NASA-SP-2020-5006891, Spaceflight 

Mishap Investigation Flight Surgeon Handbook.

The plan will need to consider legal jurisdiction, which will involve working with several organizations, including:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): In the event of a crewmember fatality, the role of the FBI is to 

investigate the incident in collaboration with the flight surgeon.

• National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB)

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• Department of Defense (DoD)/U.S. Air Force (USAF)

• Commercial Providers: Each commercial entity may choose to conduct its own investigation in parallel 

with those conducted by the NTSB.

• Presidential Commission: According to the NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-115, Section 

821), any vehicular disaster involving significant injury or loss of life to onboard NASA crewmembers 

mandates the establishment of a Presidential Commission, with federal oversight of mishap response and 

investigation.

The death of a crewmember in space may require collaboration and cooperation with international agencies:

• NASA has memoranda of understanding with each of its international partners in support of the 

International Space Station and all other international programs. The death of a crewmember might 

require coordination between international agencies in accordance with international treaties.

• International partners must be consulted and agree on the Crew Mortality Plan decided for the mission.

• In some countries, family consent must be given prior to forensic sample collection.

• Conditions in space may not be compatible with all cultural and religious traditions.

• Furthermore, nations have legal jurisdiction that extends into space and stretches outside the confines of 

Earth:

o If the death of a U.S. crewmember is caused by another U.S. crewmember, the FBI and the federal 

prosecutors would be within their authority to investigate.

o For example, if on the International Space Station, a death of a crewmember is caused by another 

crewmember of a different country, Article 22 of the 1998 Intergovernmental Agreement concluded 

between the parties, concedes jurisdiction to the state of nationality of the offender.

5

03/01/2024

Rev A
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

Crew Mortality Plan

The plan needs to consider the following factors: minimizing risk to surviving crewmembers, 

communications, potential forensics collection, biohazard containment, and legal jurisdiction, which may 

involve working with other government agencies and international partners. 

The program will develop and execute plans for handling deceased crewmembers that are culturally, 

socially, biologically, and physically acceptable. If a crewmember death occurs during a mission, the 

following aspects must be addressed:

• First and foremost, the safety of surviving crew to prevent additional crew loss

• Pronouncement of death and recording of certificate

• Forensic (medico-legal) considerations

• Preparation, containment, stowage, and disposition of remains

Pronouncement of Death

• It must be defined in advance who can pronounce the crewmember’s clinical death, as well as how 

and where the medical record will be filed.

• It must be defined in advance who has the responsibility for the death certificate, as well as how 

and where it will be filed.

• It must be understood that cause of death may be approximate as a direct physical medical 

assessment or autopsy may not be possible.

Environmental Monitoring

Toxicological and analytical hardware will be needed to monitor the environment for CO2, hydrogen sulfide, 

methanethiol, and other gases that may permeate into the vehicle atmosphere as a result 

of decomposition, which are further detailed in [V2 6022] Atmospheric Monitoring and Alerting 

Parameters and [V2 6023] Trace Constituent Monitoring and Alerting.

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[V2 6022] Atmospheric Monitoring and Alerting Parameters The system shall alert the crew 

locally and remotely when atmospheric parameters, including atmospheric pressure, humidity, 

temperature, ppO2, and ppCO2are outside safe limits.

[V2 6023] Trace Constituent Monitoring and Alerting The system shall monitor trace volatile 

organic compounds (VOCs) in the cabin atmosphere and alert the crew locally and remotely when 

they are approaching defined limits.

From: NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

Forensics (Medico-legal Considerations)

In-mission forensic sampling may or may not need to be performed (depending on mission type, duration, 

crew capability, and if immediate return of the body is possible). Upon return of the crewmember’s remains 

or forensic samples:

• For NASA Astronauts, forensic analysis on any samples will be performed by the AFMES.

• For international partner astronauts, forensic sample collection and subsequent analysis will first be 

coordinated, which would have been done prior to the mission, with their country’s respective 

medico-legal authority and prior family consent.

The manner of death will not only impact the handling of the remains, but also the need for forensic 

collection.

Forensics may be needed in the event of an investigation or to document circumstances surrounding the 

manner or cause of death of a crewmember. These samples will be both biological and non-biological, as 

well as require various levels of storage requirements, contamination protection, and sampling type.

• May also include photo documentation of the remains and circumstances surrounding the manner 

of death, as well as the removal of the suit, clothing and other equipment, and personal effects.

• Biological samples may include fingernail clippings, hair samples, urine, blood, vitreous fluid.

• Some samples will require collection and refrigeration within 12 hours of death with continued cold 

storage until evaluation.

o Hair and fingernail clippings allow for longer sampling window and do not require refrigeration.

• Due to the constrained environment, comprehensive sampling may not be available, therefore the 

data may not be available to determine cause or manner of death.

7

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Forensic sample collection. Source: Discover Magazine
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

Behavioral Health Support

• Program development of an integrated behavioral contingency response protocol identifies and 

manages adverse behavioral health impacts in affected members.

• Private communication and video conferences for surviving crewmembers and having appropriate 

bandwidth required to facilitate increased need for support, with potential simultaneous use with 

family and friends. 

• Ceremonial and cultural/religious considerations for honoring crewmembers and dignified transfer 

of remains (e.g., private area needed for crewmembers to hold a ceremony, having storage for 

personal effects to return to family members).

• Family support: Assigned Crew Surgeons should be contacted to manage any family medical or 

psychological support requests. This is done in tandem with the Family Support Office and Casualty 

Assistance Calls Officer (CACO).

• Surviving crew will experience significant psychological impacts from the death of their crewmate, 

which would be accentuated by having the remains onboard for an undetermined period of time, as 

well as potentially having to perform forensic sampling.

• Ground personnel support: managing adverse behavioral health impact via critical incident stress 

management teams. 

• Prevention of satellite imagery of the remains, which can be protected with a shroud or covering.

NASA Astronauts

• In accordance with current NASA policy, the AFMES is responsible for the determination of the 

cause of death and manner of death.

• If the remains are able to be transported back to Earth, the AFMES will conduct an autopsy 

examination. 

• If forensic samples were taken, these will be provided to AFMES to assist in cause of death and 

other determinations.

• Following this examination, any remains will be returned in a dignified manner to the families.

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Risk of Adverse Cognitive or 

Behavioral Conditions and 

Psychiatric Disorders

Risk of Performance and Behavioral Health 

Decrements Due to Inadequate Cooperation, 

Coordination, Communication, and Psychosocial 

Adaptation within a Team
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

Disposition of Remains

• Plans need to provide a storage solution for a deceased crewmember. 

o Crewmember remains should be placed inside a containment option that must prevent odor 

leakage and environmental contamination.

o Adequate restraining devices are also needed for each vehicle to secure the body during transit 

(e.g., boot clips, cargo straps, suit umbilical cap).

• Sec. 317 (a) Recovery and Disposition Authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, 

specifies:

o Treatment – Each crewmember shall provide the Administrator with his or her preferences 

regarding the treatment accorded to his or her remains and the Administrator shall, to the extent 

possible, respect those stated preferences.

• For short-duration missions, e.g., low-Earth orbit, the body may be returned to Earth or Earth-orbit 

burial

• For deep space exploration missions, turning back may not be an option due to the duration of the 

trip (i.e., “burial at sea”, or burial on planetary surface may need to be considered).

o Can include deep space trajectory, solar injection, or planetary orbit

o Jettison of crew remains will need to account for orbital mechanics and appropriate tracking to 

ensure they will not end up in an unknown location or surface.

o Considerations for vehicle design for jettison (i.e., does the vehicle have an airlock or resources 

to do multiple depressurization/repressurization cycles, will the containment used to be 

adequate for deep space conditions).

• Programs need to make the appropriate risk trades in terms of protecting the crew, mission 

objectives, physical and emotional health, and the handling of the remains.

• International partners need to be consulted to agree on the body disposition plan.

Transportation of remains should take into account the crew remains' stage of decomposition as they are 

moved through the various phases of surface or flight activities, which may include:

• Planetary surface-suited operations back to the habitable location or ascent vehicle

• Relocation of remains to the site of interment

• Ascent vehicle to orbiting vehicle

• Return to Earth in the transport vehicle

• Vehicle for return into Earth’s atmosphere

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[V1 3054] In Situ Disposition of Deceased Crewmember Remains The program shall meet 

planetary protection regulations in the case of in situ or jettison disposition of the remains 

of a deceased crewmember. 

From: NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1 Revision C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

Planetary Protection

Planetary Protection is vital in protecting the scientific integrity of our missions and keeping Earth safe.

• Planetary Protection is the practice of protecting solar system bodies from harmful contamination 

by terrestrial materials to enable scientific exploration and protecting the Earth‐Moon system from 

possible harmful extraterrestrial contamination that may be returned from other solar system bodies.

• Prevention of forward contamination requires understanding biological containment. This includes 

limiting the transfer of our terrestrial life onto other potentially habitable solar system bodies.

• Preventing uncontained extraterrestrial materials being brought back to the Earth-Moon system 

(backward contamination).

This plan begins prior to the start of any mission by understanding the mission science and operational 

objectives, which is also based on the biological sensitivity of the destination. Logistically, containment of 

remains will require significant mass and volume to permanently contain or prevent contamination of another 

planetary body from either burial on a surface or jettison into space, which could be mission prohibitive.

10

[V2 6061] Environment Cross-Contamination The system shall provide controls to prevent 

or otherwise minimize (as appropriate) biological cross-contamination between crew, 

payloads and vehicles to acceptable levels in accordance with the biosafety levels (BSL) 

defined in JPR-1800.5, as well between crew, payloads, vehicles and extraterrestrial 

planetary environments with the extent of application specific to individual planetary 

bodies and special locations thereon.

From: NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

03/01/2024

Rev A

NASA-STD-8719.27 Implementing Planetary Protection 

Requirements for Space Flight

https://doclinkonline.com/c4ff5174-2ea2-408d-bbfc199c4d80bfdd
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

Considerations for Disposition of Remains and Planetary Protection

Interment on the surface, or within a surface-based structure or non-returning vehicle

• Surface interment contingency plans should be dependent on planetary classifications to prevent local 

exposure to non-native biologics in designated special regions. The alternative would be to return 

remains to orbit, which is preferred from a Planetary Protection standpoint. For planetary bodies such 

as Mars, this may or may not be feasible.

o A catastrophic event with no survivors for example would preclude any concerted containment 

activities within a meaningful time period to prevent biological contamination.

• Short-term storage prior to transport

o Assumes a surviving crewmember can safety handle remains.

o Contingent on surviving crewmember(s) capability (following possible deconditioning due to 

duration of low/no gravity) to relocate remains, as well as preparation of deceased crew, if suited.

o Hardware available to assist in storage or transport.

• Long-term interment

o Assumes surviving crewmember can safety handle remains.

o Viable containment method with durability of preferably 50+ years, or seek containment with 

available resources such as within spacesuit, surface habitat, vehicle, etc.

o Shrouding of remains where possible prevents satellite imagery capturing views that may be 

upsetting to surviving family and crew.

• Documentation of the site of the fatality and interment, included in End-of-Mission Planetary 

Protection Report

o Level of detail will need to provide the care and respect for the crewmember and family.

o Notification of the international scientific community to ensure future science objectives are not 

compromised by those visiting that area.

• Estimation of microbial populations, as well as potential zone of microbial population spread over 

time, which may be impacted by environmental conditions and method of interment.

• Spiritual, cultural and religious aspects of the disposition of remains on the lunar surface must also 

be considered when developing these plans.

Jettison of remains from vehicle while in orbit

• Consider the potential re-entry of remains and organic materials into any planetary atmosphere.

o Leaving planetary orbit prior to jettison is advisable.

11

03/01/2024

Rev A
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

Additional Considerations

Within hours of death, remains will naturally alter and begin the stages of decomposition, which is dependent 

on environmental conditions. These processes will become visually obvious and impact crew health and 

safety from the released decomposition products.

Psychological impacts must be minimized to the remaining crew who will be required to disposition remains, 

perform any forensic or investigation procedures, physically move or retrain remains, or collocate in the same 

vehicle with remains. Considerations for various countries of vehicle or crew origin, cultural preferences, and 

governmental procedures will impact protocols following the death of any crewmember during a mission.

Environmental conditions exposure at the time of death and thereafter

• Altered microbiome on and within the crewmember, as well as any microbial presence found within 

the habitable environment

o Planetary atmospheric conditions on bacterial growth and subsequent on process following 

internment

o Long-term and permanent interment impacts to planetary environment, including biome and 

water, as well as the environmental conditions affecting containment unit

• Heat transmission in 0g and thermocycling that will impact the natural processes and the timeline to 

disposition or handle the remains for later transport

• Cold Temperature

o Acceleration of rigor mortis-like behavior of the remains

o Will halt or slow down the decomposition

• Hot Temperatures

o Accelerates the decomposition of the remains

o Compromises the integrity of any forensic samples needed or collected

• Moisture

o Accelerates the decomposition of the remains

• Oxygen availability (or lack thereof) is an important factor that will affect rate (and type) of 

decomposition

• Naturally occurring gasses and fluids within the body will behave differently in a 0g environment

• Stowage and transport containment for Earth-return will need to consider natural process, including 

off-gassing, to protect remaining crew, including the dynamic loads experienced during landing 

operations

Accident Cases

• Need plans for accidents with and without survivors, including rescue and subsequent hazards to 

survivors

• Difficulty of assessing crewmember while suited

• Possible environmental contamination (chemical and/or biological) to water, ice, or other resources

12

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Rev A
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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

13

03/01/2024

Rev A
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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.

Original → Rev A

• Updated information to reflect the revisions to language throughout 

both volumes of NASA-STD-3001

• Updated/added website links due to new NASA website launch

• Reorganized content flow

• New references and information added regarding ISS procedures 

and taphonomy details

Major Changes Between Revisions

14

03/01/2024

Rev A
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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 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 evidence- based 

PRA, clinical practice guidelines and expertise, historical review, mission parameters, and vehicle- derived 

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 technical requirement).

[V1 3010] Termination of Care Each human spaceflight program shall have criteria for termination of care 

available prior to flight.

[V1 3050] Pre-Mission Crew Mortality Plan The program shall develop and execute a Crew Mortality Plan 

and determine legal jurisdiction prior to each mission (including pre-flight activities, launch, operations, and 

landing). 

[V1 3051] Pronouncement of Crew Death The program shall define the process to medically assess the 

death of an in-mission crewmember and legally record the pronouncement of death. 

[V1 3052] In-Mission Forensic Sample Collection The program shall have the capability to obtain in-mission 

forensic evidence from a deceased crewmember and return this evidence to Earth. 

[V1 3053] Crew Mortality Remains Return to Earth The program shall be capable of returning the remains 

of a deceased crewmember back to Earth. 

[V1 3054] In Situ Disposition of Deceased Crewmember Remains The program shall meet planetary 

protection regulations in the case of in situ or jettison disposition of the remains of a deceased 

crewmember. 

[V1 3055] Surviving Crew Support The program shall provide behavioral health support to the deceased 

crewmember’s family, surviving crewmembers, and support team in-mission and post-mission. 

[V1 3056] Crew Mortality Mishap Investigation Plan The program shall have plans in place prior to a 

mission to gather the appropriate data to support a Presidential Commission mishap investigation. 

[V1 5001] Medical Training Medical training shall be provided to crewmembers, flight surgeons (FSs), 

mission control support staff, and other ground support personnel (GSP). 

[V1 5002] Astronaut Training Beginning with the crewmember 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 spaceflight, 

psychological training, toxicology, medical equipment, and supervised physical conditioning training shall be 

provided to the astronaut corps. 

Referenced Technical Requirements

15

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

OCHMO Standards website

03/01/2024

Rev A
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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 5003] Crew Medical Officer Medical Training Crewmembers who have received a mission assignment 

as a Crew Medical Officer (CMO) shall be provided with detailed and specific medical training, including 

but not limited to, health issues, space physiology, behavioral health, medical procedures, medical 

equipment, toxicology, and countermeasures.

[V1 6002] Private Medical Communication (PMC) Private medical communications shall be scheduled on 

a routine basis, as determined by the Flight Surgeon, at a frequency dictated for short- or long-duration 

missions.

[V1 6003] Private Medical Communications Information Delivery Private Medical Communications 

information that is sent to/from the ground via spacecraft communication systems shall be considered 

private communication. 

[V1 6004] Behavioral Health and Performance Provisions Programs shall implement 

psychological/behavioral health support programs for the crewmembers, key ground personnel, and 

crewmember families throughout the mission.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

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

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

[V2 6022] Atmospheric Monitoring and Alerting Parameters The system shall alert the crew locally and 

remotely when atmospheric parameters, including atmospheric pressure, humidity, temperature, ppO2, 

and ppCO2are outside safe limits.

[V2 6023] Trace Constituent Monitoring and Alerting The system shall monitor trace volatile organic 

compounds (VOCs) in the cabin atmosphere and alert the crew locally and remotely when they are 

approaching defined limits.

[V2 6061] Environment Cross-Contamination The system shall provide controls to prevent or otherwise 

minimize (as appropriate) biological cross-contamination between crew, payloads and vehicles to 

acceptable levels in accordance with the biosafety levels (BSL) defined in JPR-1800.5, as well between 

crew, payloads, vehicles and extraterrestrial planetary environments with the extent of application specific 

to individual planetary bodies and special locations thereon. 

Referenced Technical Requirements

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

OCHMO Standards website

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NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-012

Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight

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. Damlo, S. (2022). Space Taphonomy: Human Decomposition in Low Earth Orbit Master’s Thesis, 

University of Florida. https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/UF/E0/05/91/98/00001/Damlo_S.pdf

2. FBI Handbook of Forensic Services https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/handbook-of-forensic-servicespdf.pdf/view

3. Houser T, Lindgren KN, Mazuchowski EL II, Barratt MR, Haines DC, Jayakody M, Blue RS, Bytheway JA, 

Stepaniak PC. Remains containment considerations for death in low-Earth orbit. Aerosp Med Hum 

Perform. 2023; 94(5):368–376. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.6146.2023

4. Johnson Space Center and Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) Memorandum of 

Understanding. NASA Internal Document.

5. Mallak, CR. Death On Orbit: Extreme Environmental Conditions and the Deaths of American Astronauts. 

Acad Forensic Pathol. 2018 8(1): 112-118. https://doi.org/10.23907/2018.008

6. National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. https://history.nasa.gov/spaceact.html

7. NASA TREAT Astronauts Act. Human Health and Performance. https://www.nasa.gov/hhp/treat-act

8. NASA-STD-8719.27 Implementing Planetary Protection Requirements for Space Flight

9. NPR 8715.24 Planetary Protection Provisions for Robotic Extraterrestrial Missions

10. Operational Considerations for a Death in Space – Part 1, Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 

Volume 91, Number 3, March 2020, pp. 183-185(37)

• [163] Operational Considerations for Death in Space: Hardware Considerations for Preparation, 

Stowage, and Potential Return of Remains

• [164] Operational Considerations for Death in Space: Historical Background, Aspects, and Risks 

of Spaceflight

• [165] Operational Considerations for Death in Space: Human Decomposition

• [166] Operational Considerations for Death in Space: Forensic Pathology Investigations

11. Responding to Crew Fatalities on Future Missions. JSC SMA Flight Safety Office. September 20, 2023.

12. Spaceflight Mishap Investigation Flight Surgeon Handbook. NASA-SP-2020-5006891

13. Stepaniak PC, Blue RS, Gilmore S, Beven GE, Chough NG, Tsung A, McMonigal KA, Mazuchowski EL II, 

Bytheway JA, Lindgren KN, Barratt MR. Operational considerations for crew fatality on the International 

Space Station. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(9):705–714. 

https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.6300.2023

14. Title 10 U.S. Codes Subsection 1471 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/1471

15. Treaties and Other International Acts Series 12927. Space Station: Agreement Between the United 

States of America and Other Governments. Jan 29, 1998 . https://www.state.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2019/02/12927-Multilateral-Space-Space-Station-1.29.1998.pdf

16. Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, 

Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies https://2009-2017.state.gov/t/isn/5181.htm

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