STARwatch to Deliver Objective Sleep Measures for Spaceflight Operations

This project will achieve a wrist-worn actigraphy device called STARwatch, designed specifically for space exploration environments. It will provide a minimally obtrusive, objective measure that evaluates astronaut sleep-wake activity and light exposure. This project will leverage our second-generation actigraphy device that has already been validated in controlled laboratory experiments against gold-standard polysomnography. The compact wrist-worn device includes sensors to collect sleep metrics and will also serve as a wireless hub to collect real-time physiological data from other body-worn sensors (e.g., heart rate, EEG). It will use standardized wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth) to automatically uplink data to the ISS network (no astronaut time required). Data will automatically be integrated into medical operations support systems adhering to NASA data requirements (e.g., HL7), providing immediate feedback to astronauts and flight surgeons to aid in decision-making relative to astronaut medical, behavioral health and performance issues. During Phase II, we will conduct user testing and validation in a space flight analog environment, complete product refinements, and certify STARwatch for spaceflight. (Phase II TRL of 7-8).

STARwatch will provide a minimally obtrusive, objective measure that evaluates astronaut sleep-wake activity and light exposure. The deliverables for this project exactly meet the need outlined in the solicitation topic and are primarily relevant to NASA's need to address the HRP IRP Risk of Performance Errors Due to Fatigue Resulting from Sleep Loss, Circadian Desynchronization, Extended Wakefulness and Work Overload. Following operational validation and verification, STARwatch will be ready for deployment on ISS to support astronauts during space exploration missions and on Earth during training (including international travel) and post-mission.

There is an articulated market need for tools that track sleep and performance, particularly in areas where human performance has precise operational constraints and important safety implications, such as commercial aviation, emergency health care, shift work, etc. Sleep monitoring technologies described in this proposal can help meet this need by providing professionals working in safety-sensitive occupations with immediate feedback about their sleep and performance and assist with selecting fatigue countermeasures.

This is a mature technology (TRL 8) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.