Astronauts live longer lives than the general Earth population.
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Studies examining U.S. astronaut mortality rates report that astronauts exhibit lower all-cause mortality and increased life expectancy compared to the general population, though researchers note this is influenced by rigorous health selection criteria.
Astronaut life expectancy and the limits of general population comparisons | npj Microgravity
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## ABSTRACT
NASA’s rigorous medical selection has successfully limited in-flight medical emergencies throughout six decades of human spaceflight, but its effectiveness in identifying individuals with exceptional long-term survival remains unquantified. We estimated age-specific mortality rates based on 299 male US astronauts selected 1959-2021, using mortality data through 2022 (9602 person-years, 69 deaths). We restricted analyses to male astronauts due to insufficient follow-up time and observed mortality among female astronauts, who were first selected in 1978 and remain relatively young. We estimated astronaut hazards across the lifespan by combining rates from a Poisson regression model (for natural-cause mortality) with calculated empirical rates for external causes. These mortality rates were used to construct life tables, from which we derived life expectancy estimates and compared them to 2022 US general population values. Astronauts demonstrated substantial survival advantages at all ages, with life expectancy exceeding the general population by approximately 5 to
Radiation Exposure and Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer in Early NASA Astronauts | Scientific Reports
## Abstract
Understanding space radiation health effects is critical due to potential increased morbidity and mortality following spaceflight. We evaluated whether there is evidence for excess cardiovascular disease or cancer mortality in early NASA astronauts and if a correlation exists between space radiation exposure and mortality. Astronauts selected from 1959–1969 were included and followed until death or February 2017, with 39 of 73 individuals still alive at that time. Calculated standardized mortality rates for tested outcomes were significantly below U.S. white male population rates, including all-cardiovascular disease (n = 7, SMR = 33; 95% CI, 14–65) and all-cancer (n = 7, SMR = 43; 95% CI, 18–83), as anticipated in a healthy worker population. Space radiation doses for cohort members ranged from 0–78 mGy. No significant associations between space radiation dose and mortality were found using logistic regression with an internal reference group, adjusting for medical radiation. Statistical power of the logistic regression was <6%, remaining <12% even wh
Mortality of US astronauts: comparisons with professional athletes
## Abstract
Objective: Studies of mortality among US astronauts are complicated by the healthy worker effect, which predicts lower mortality for astronauts than the general population based solely on the ability to become and remain an astronaut. We attempt to evaluate astronaut mortality risk while accounting for the healthy worker effect.
Methods: We compare mortality rates of male US astronauts with those of professional athletes from Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association between January 1, 1960 and May 31, 2018.
Results: Both athlete cohorts and astronauts had significantly lower-than-expected mortality in comparison with the general population. For the overall study period, there were no significant differences in all-cause mortality rates between astronauts and athletes. Astronauts were at greater risk of death from external causes (SMR=583; 95% CI 377 to 860) and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease (SMR=39; 95% CI 18 to 73) and all natural causes (SMR=67; 95% CI 47 to 93).
Conclusions: The data presented here do not support increased mortality for astronauts due to u
Mortality among U.S. astronauts: 1980-2009
## Abstract
Introduction: It has been nearly 20 yr since the first published astronaut mortality analysis. Using astronaut vital data and general population mortality rates, we calculate Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) for both total and specific causes of death among astronauts between January 1980 and June 2009 to look for changes in mortality patterns over time.
Methods: Astronaut vital data were derived from the Johnson Space Center website and the Astronaut Fact Book. General population mortality rates were taken from the Human Mortality Database and the Centers for Disease Control. SMR were computed as the ratio of observed deaths to expected deaths using indirect standardization to several comparison populations.
Results: All SMR declined from the 1980s to the 2000s, though astronauts are still at increased risk of accidental death (SMR = 574, 95% C.I. 335-919). Astronauts are at greatly reduced risk of death by cardiovascular disease (SMR = 27, 95% C.I. 9-63) and cancer (SMR = 47, 95% C.I. 19-97), and astronauts are now at decreased risk of all-cause mortality compared with the general population.
Discussion: The SMR show
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