3. Supersoldiers and enhanced cognitive function with ketones! A conversation with Dominic D’Agostino, PhD

Simulation

Dr. Dominic D’Agostino shares insights into the NASA NEEMO missions, which simulate space conditions underwater to test technologies and procedures. These missions, conducted off the Florida Keys, involve living in a high-pressure environment that mimics the neutral buoyancy of space, crucial for astronaut training. Dominic explains that the NEEMO missions are unique among NASA's 14 space analogs because they involve direct astronaut training, unlike others that focus on engineers or everyday people testing procedures 1 2.

NASA Neemo stands for NASA extreme environment mission operations. So it's Neemo. And essentially when you're underwater, that simulates neutral buoyancy.

--- Dominic D’Agostino

During these missions, participants face challenges similar to those in space, such as psychological stress and the need for precise coordination, which are essential for future space exploration 3.

   

Research

The NEEMO missions also serve as a platform for extensive research, focusing on human physiology under extreme conditions. Dominic highlights that the research conducted includes studying the gut microbiome, sleep patterns, and psychological stress, which are critical for understanding human adaptation to space-like environments 1. The missions involve a diverse team, including undergraduates and medical students, who contribute to various projects, making the mission control side equally demanding as being underwater 3.

We did gut microbiome, a lot of psych stuff, body composition, strength, sleep, psychological stress, a lot of different projects.

--- Dominic D’Agostino

These studies aim to develop biological mitigation strategies to optimize performance and safety in extreme environments, bridging the gap between undersea and space research 2.