NASA tests blue light and meal timing to keep pilots sharp on Long-Haul flights
NCT ID NCT07761611
First seen Aug 12, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This NASA study tests two simple countermeasures—eating very little during the biological night and wearing blue-enriched light glasses after rest breaks—to see if they can reduce fatigue and improve alertness in airline pilots flying long-haul routes over eight hours. Researchers will track pilots' sleep, sleepiness, workload, and reaction times before, during, and after trips. The goal is to find practical ways to help pilots stay vigilant and perform safely on overnight flights.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Caloric restriction and blue-enriched light exposure
- What this could lead to
- If effective, these simple countermeasures could help airline pilots stay alert and perform better during long flights, potentially improving aviation safety.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with a specific pilot population, so results may not apply to all shift workers. The interventions may be impractical or have limited effect in real-world conditions.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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NASA Ames Research Center
Mountain View, California, 94043, United States