Life Sciences in the Space Program 



— An extended-duration Shuttle orbiter should be considered a useful 

 resource, especially to test technology modifications (such as exercise 

 equipment) for the Space Station's Health Maintenance Facility. 



• NASA should develop a recoverable life sciences spacecraft equipped with 

 variable-gravity capabilities that can be used for animal (rhesus monkey- 

 sized), plant, and cellular research. 



• A systematic approach to cooperation and coordination with other space- 

 faring nations should be strengthened. 



— NASA should continue its participation in established working groups 

 and explore ways in which this collaboration can be expanded. 



— The Soviet Union and the European Space Agency have important 

 programs, as do the German Research and Development Institute for Air 

 and Space Travel, the French National Center for Space Studies, the 

 National Space Development Agency of Japan, and other national space 

 agencies. 



• Collaborative efforts with the Soviets should be vigorously pursued and 

 expanded. 



— This should be done in part by participation on future Biocosmos 

 missions. Participation in this program has provided data useful in 

 understanding the effects of space flight on humans. 



— The possibility of flying experiments aboard the Soviet Space Station 

 and cooperation in planning between the Biocosmos and NASA free- 

 flying satellite efforts should also be explored. Such cooperation was 

 initiated several years ago, especially with joint data analysis 

 (musculoskeletal for pre- and postflight missions). 



— Opportunities for reciprocation by the U.S.S.R. on U.S. missions should 

 be explored. 



• NASA should lead in the development of a standardized international 

 biomedical data base that will allow all spacefaring nations to share 

 information. An automated and easily accessible data base is needed today, 

 just to provide NASA with the currently available archival data on a routine 

 basis. 



The Space Environment: Potential Limitations on 

 Extended Human Presence in Space 



As is the case with all science disciplines, the life sciences community is con 

 cerned with developing a basic understanding of the world around us. Life 

 sciences, particularly the medical sciences, are also applications driven. Life 

 silences investigations are unlike those pursued by sister sciences in that it is rare 

 that a rigid formula or natural equation can be derived (except, of course, tor 

 chemical equations | I ife sciences are, in general, empirical by nature and 

 characterized by a statistical analysis of observed relationships. Since life sciences 



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