Could a simple prebreathe routine make spacewalks safer?
NCT ID NCT07702539
First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether different oxygen prebreathe routines and exercise levels can lower the risk of decompression sickness during simulated spacewalks. Healthy volunteers aged 30-60 breathe pure oxygen for an hour, then exercise in a low-pressure chamber to mimic space conditions. Researchers monitor for symptoms and use ultrasound to detect gas bubbles in the body.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- oxygen prebreathe and hypobaric exposure
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to safer, more efficient prebreathe protocols for astronauts, reducing decompression sickness risk during spacewalks.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study in healthy volunteers, not actual astronauts. Results may not translate to real spaceflight conditions or different populations.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
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