Summary 



• 



Science and Applications Division, the two NASA programs with primary 

 responsibility for sponsoring global biogeochemical studies; among agencies that 

 support biospherics research, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration and the National Science Foundation; and among international 

 organizations, through such an effort as the International Geosphere-Biosphere 

 Programme. 



"Exobiology" examines large questions that involve the origin, evolution, and 

 distribution of life in the universe, that have sufficient drama and scope to elicit 

 public attention and support, and that require for their resolution not only 

 robotic probes of other planets but human exploration of the solar system, with 

 the Moon and Mars as targets for early in the next century. The Exobiology 

 Program is an interdisciplinary effort with interests complementary to 

 Biospherics Research and other NASA programs in the Solar System Exploration 

 and Astrophysics Divisions. By reviewing programmatic components, the paper 

 identifies major scientific issues in gaining an understanding of the inter- 

 relationship of life and the physical universe. 



The final three Study Group papers — "Flight Programs," "Program Adminis- 

 tration," and "Applications" — are not easily categorized, for their topics diverge 

 considerably The papers are alike, however, in that they all relate to the entire 

 sweep of Life Sciences programs. 



• The thesis of "Flight Programs" pertains to a primary emphasis in the LSSPSC 

 report: the need for increased flight opportunities for life sciences. The hiatus in 

 flight activity following Challenger has been discouraging to both established 

 researchers and graduate students in life sciences, as indicated in the 

 "Overview." Since flight opportunities will continue to be limited, even after 

 resumption of Shuttle activity, the Life Sciences Division will have to conduct 

 significant preparation on the ground, including designing and testing 

 equipment and developing models that replicate space phenomena. At the same 

 time, it needs to pursue a varied group of flight projects, including a 

 recoverable, reusable biosatellite that can support flight experiments, as well as 

 space in the Shuttle middeck lockers, Spacelab, and commercially available 

 research facilities. 



• "Program Administration," the one paper developed by two Study Groups 

 (Infrastructure and External Relations), delineates the complexity involved in 

 coordinating research that extends beyond disciplinary and organizational lines. 

 Like several other Study Group papers, it emphasizes the need tor additional 

 collaboration between Life Sciences programs and other NASA offices, domestic 

 agencies, and international organizations involved in the field. It also stresses the 

 desirability of strengthening ties with universities, partly by establishing 

 Specialized Center of Research units and NASA-supported professorships in 

 space life sciences at selected institutions. At the same time, the paper 



nzes that the Life Sciences Division does not have sufficient resources to 

 meet its objectives, even through further cooperative efforts, and recommends a 

 substantial increase in budget and provision for hiring additional civil servants. 



It 



