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NLSP Data Request

Data Request

User’s Guide for Requesting NASA Life Sciences Data and Biospecimens

Request Data

Use of Human Data for Research 

Be aware that each request for human data must be evaluated and approved through the appropriate NASA review boards prior to the release of any human data. Specific requirements must be met in order to release data including, but not limited to, proof of peer-review and funding of your study protocol and institutional review board (IRB) approval from your institution. Additional NASA requirements and guidelines are provided below.

You must acknowledge that you have read and understand the information provided prior to submittal of your request.

Requesting Human Data

LSDA and LSAH support the release of astronaut and flight analog research data, and clinical data, respectively, to support the research community. Both de-identified and possibly attributable (identifiable) astronaut data may be available for internal and external-to-NASA peer-reviewed research studies following a thorough review and approval process and NASA IRB approval. The length of time required to complete your request is based on the complexity of the request and volume of the data requested. Data Categories Data can be grouped into the following categories:

  • Pooled: Individual data points are grouped. Typical pooled data is in the form of a mean and/or range. Many of these data from research studies are publicly available on this web site.
  • De-identified: Data points remain individual, but any identifying information has been removed. Examples of fields that make data identifiable include mission length and gender. Sometimes a data field can be created broadly enough to maintain confidentiality (e.g., mission duration is not specified to a specific number of days, but rather a range of days). Requests for pooled or de-identified data with evidence of scientific merit review are the quickest to process. Nevertheless, since the data were taken in varied circumstances, it usually takes some iteration to determine the best way to provide the data to the researcher. Our staff will work with the researchers to refine their requests.
  • Attributable (Identifiable): Individual data points with identifying information.

    • Research Data Repository (LSDA)

    For background information on the Life Sciences Data Archive (LSDA) project, go to the LSDA Home Page.

    LSDA supports release of astronaut and flight analog subject data to support the research community. Both de-identified and possibly attributable (identifiable) data may be available for internal and external-to-NASA peer-reviewed research studies following a thorough review and approval process and NASA IRB approval. See Data Categories above.

    You can search the LSDA databases using the free text search ("Search LSDA" in the navigation bar) or by searching any of the eight modules—Experiments, Missions, Personnel, Biospecimens, Documents, Hardware, Datasets, and Photo Gallery—accessible from the home page.

    If you need assistance, please submit your query: jsc-lsda@mail.nasa.gov. Do not use this form for submitting requests for data.

  • Lead-time required: Allow no less than 25 months from the date of the request to receipt of data for attributable (identifiable) data and 13 months for de-identified data. The feasibility of providing a de-identified dataset will be determined by NASA.
  • Limitations of the Data: The data in the LSDA databases were obtained based on the experiment protocols submitted by the original Principal Investigator (PI) and approved by NASA for implementation. Additionally, even though a study may list multiple parameters measured during the course of the study, the data available may be a subset of that collected by the PI.
  • Attributability Review: Abstracts, manuscripts, presentations and associated data tables, graphics, images and journal editor’s changes resulting from your data request utilizing attributable (identifiable) data require LSAH Advisory Board review and approval before distribution and submission for publication or other use, unless otherwise specified by the LSAH Advisory Board. Any publications resulting from the study should appropriately acknowledge LSDA and/or LSAH.


    • An LSAH Epidemiologist and/or LSDA Archivist will be assigned to disposition your request and walk you through the process. This includes (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Data set and data format refined (6 months)
  • Assessment of the data set as non-attributable versus attributable (identifiable). If attributable, a presentation to the LSAH Advisory Board for approval (2-6 months)
  • IRB approval (see https://irb.nasa.gov/ ) (2-4 months)
  • Informed Consent (1-6 months)
  • Data Use Agreement (2-3 months) (required when receiving potentially attributable data)
  • LSAH Advisory Board Attributability Review for Approval before dissemination of information resulting from data requests utilizing attributable data. This includes, but is not limited to, abstracts, manuscripts, presentations and all associated data tables, graphics, images and journal editor’s changes.

    • To request data, complete and submit the REQUEST FORM.

    Medical Data Repository (LSAH)

    For background information on the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) project, go to the LSAH Home Page.

    LSDA supports release of astronaut and flight analog subject data to support the research community. Both de-identified and possibly attributable (identifiable) data may be available for internal and external-to-NASA peer-reviewed research studies following a thorough review and approval process and NASA IRB approval. See Data Categories above.

    A summary of medical tests conducted and descriptions of these tests are available for download:

     Summarized list of Medical Tests

     Detailed description of Medical Tests

  • Lead-time required: Allow no less than 25 months from the date of the request to receipt of data for attributable (identifiable) data and 13 months for de-identified data. The feasibility of providing a de-identified dataset will be determined by NASA.
  • Limitations of the Data: The data in the LSDA databases were obtained based on the experiment protocols submitted by the original Principal Investigator (PI) and approved by NASA for implementation. Additionally, even though a study may list multiple parameters measured during the course of the study, the data available may be a subset of that collected by the PI.

    Related Link: Data Accessibility Video Presentation
  • Attributability Review: Abstracts, manuscripts, presentations and associated data tables, graphics, images and journal editor’s changes resulting from your data request utilizing attributable (identifiable) data require LSAH Advisory Board review and approval before distribution and submission for publication or other use, unless otherwise specified by the LSAH Advisory Board. Any publications resulting from the study should appropriately acknowledge LSDA and/or LSAH.


    • An LSAH Epidemiologist and/or LSDA Archivist will be assigned to disposition your request and walk you through the process. This includes (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Data set and data format refined (6 months)
  • Assessment of the data set as non-attributable versus attributable (identifiable). If attributable, a presentation to the LSAH Advisory Board for approval (2-6 months)
  • IRB approval (see https://irb.nasa.gov/ ) (2-4 months)
  • Informed Consent (1-6 months)
  • Data Use Agreement (2-3 months) (required when receiving potentially attributable data)
  • LSAH Advisory Board Attributability Review for Approval before dissemination of information resulting from data requests utilizing attributable data. This includes, but is not limited to, abstracts, manuscripts, presentations and all associated data tables, graphics, images and journal editor’s changes.

    • Use of Human Data: Applicable Laws and Regulations

  • Privacy Act of 1974 as amended prohibits disclosure of records contained in a system of records maintained by a federal agency (or its contractors) without the written request or consent of the individual to whom the record pertains. The Privacy Act permits agencies to disclose information for other purposes defined as "routine uses" which are defined and published in the Federal Register Systems of Record Notice.
  • 10HIMS – Health Information Management System is the applicable system of record for the LSAH repository.
  • 10-HERD-Human Experimental and Research Data Records is the applicable system of record for the LSDA repository.
  • Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Part 46 Protection of Human Subjects states that subjects have the right to decide the extent to which their data is used.
  • Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (the 'Common Rule') outlines the basic provisions for IRBs, informed consent, and Assurances of Compliance.
  • Minimum Necessary Requirement, 45 CFR 164.502(b), 164.514(d) which states, in part, that “The minimum necessary standard requires covered entities to evaluate their practices and enhance safeguards as needed to limit unnecessary or inappropriate access to and disclosure of protected health information."
  • OMB M-06-16 Protection of Sensitive Agency Information has two relevant clauses. Action 4: "Log all computer-readable data extracts from databases holding sensitive information and verify each extract including sensitive data has been erased within 90 days or its use is still required."

    • To request data, complete and submit the REQUEST FORM.

    Requesting Biospecimens

    The LSDA also contains an animal Biospecimen repository, which provides the scientific community with access to NASA's inventory of biological materials from organisms that have flown in space or from related ground control studies.

    Terms of Use: Applicants may submit proposals specifically for analysis of materials obtained from this Program or as an adjunct or supplementary component of an experiment proposal in another research area.

  • The materials remain the property of NASA
  • The materials can only be used for the approved purpose
  • Unused portions of the biospecimens must be returned to NASA at the conclusion of the study
  • Acceptance of materials commits the requestor to provide NASA with results of the study


    • These products should include electronic submissions of raw and analyzed data and a final report for archival by the LSDA. Any publications resulting from the study should be appropriately attributed to NASA.

    Search Biospecimen Repository

    To request Biospecimens, complete and submit the REQUEST FORM.