Life Sciences in the Space Program 



• The availability of capabilities for remote automated analyses of samples of 

 planetary atmospheres and surfaces, without return to Earth, would enhance 

 the attainment of scientific objectives for planetary biology research programs 

 and allow assessments of the potential of surface sites for future habitability. 



• From the standpoints of both basic and applied research, Exobiology, 

 Biospherics Research, and CELSS fit well within the context of NASA's charter. 

 They variously make use of NASA's unique capabilities for exploring bodies of 

 the solar system (including, most emphatically, planet Earth) and observing 

 astrophysical objects and events. 



Recommendations 



• The transfer of information and technology among NASA divisions and 

 between NASA divisions and other research organizations should be 

 facilitated whenever possible. 



• Efforts should be accelerated to develop devices for remotely collecting and 

 analyzing samples of planetary atmospheres and surfaces, as well as 

 remotely acquiring, storing, and analyzing planetary biological data. The 

 objectives should be to characterize environments at remote sites without 

 requiring sample return and to ensure that any limited samples that are 

 returned are the most interesting scientifically. 



Strategic Approach 



Clearly, biomedical investigation leading to an understanding of how and why the 

 human body reacts to space flight must continue. The primary objective of this 

 research is to have sufficient understanding of and control over the phenomena so 

 that a single 2-year experiment with human subjects on the Space Station has a 

 high probability of success. 



One research approach would be to develop ground-based experiments using 

 animals and computer simulations to identify human responses. Such an 

 approach, along with short-term flights, can provide basic insights into the effects 

 of extended human space flight and may lead to the development of appropriate 

 countermeasures. A "proof of concept," full-duration mission on the Space Station 

 is, however, mandatory. Such a test will require an isolatable, independent module 

 to ensure that the test subjects and the test objectives are not compromised by 

 contact with the transient crew members. 



Findings 



• A program requiring 180-day stay times aboard the Space Station is under 

 serious consideration. Other programs that would place humans on the Moon 

 and, eventually, on Mars are also being evaluated. 



Implementation of such programs will entail the design and development 

 i)t substantial amounts ot experimental hardware and complex technologies. 



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