Findings and Recommendations 



— Extended periods of microgravitv cannot be simulated on Earth; space flight 

 provides the unique opportunity for investigating the effect(s) of microgravitv 

 on biologic systems. 



— To date, opportunities provided by NASA for inflight life sciences research 

 have been wholly insufficient. 



• The success of long-term human activities in space will depend on a fundamental 

 understanding of the effect(s) of gravity and especially microgravitv on the metab- 

 olism, developmental biology and life cycles of plants and animals. To develop 

 this understanding, the Gravitational Biology Program will need to conduct long- 

 term experiments in space and on the ground involving a large number and vari- 

 ety of research specimens. 



• Conclusions from space-based research are not valid unless verified by adequate 

 control. 



- A variable-gravity centrifuge facility can provide the experimental control 

 needed to isolate the effects of microgravity from all others encountered in 

 space flight, such as solar and cosmic radiation, launch and reentry forces. 



— In addition, variable-gravity centrifuge facilities will be needed to help test 

 countermeasures to space flight deconditioning, to understand readaptations to 

 1 gravity, and to investigate a host of other phenomena of interest to clinical 

 and biological investigators. 



• Gravitational Biology can make crucial contributions both to basic and operational 

 research programs. 



- Research in Gravitational Biology is markedly multidisciplinary and is intimate- 

 ly interrelated with efforts in other areas of space life sciences research — most 

 notably, the CELSS and Biomedical Research Programs. 



- This synergism, critical to successful accomplishment of NASA's overriding 

 goal of allowing humans to maintain a permanent presence in space, can con- 

 tinue and expand only if NASA provides the required facilities, funds, and 

 personnel. 



• NASA does not adequately support academic programs in Gravitational Biology. 

 Because of limited support and few flight opportunities, research often requires 

 more than a decade for completion. 



- This situation deters students from posing questions that necessitate inflight 

 experiments and effectively discourages them from pursuing studies in this 

 area of science. 



- The policies that have created the current situation will have to be changed if 

 the United States is to regain leadership in the long-term human exploration of 

 space. 



Recommendations 



JASA should increase the number and duration of life sciences experiments 

 flown in space. These experiments should be conducted on a regular and fre- 



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