Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration

Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309163846
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 464

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Book Description
More than four decades have passed since a human first set foot on the Moon. Great strides have been made in our understanding of what is required to support an enduring human presence in space, as evidenced by progressively more advanced orbiting human outposts, culminating in the current International Space Station (ISS). However, of the more than 500 humans who have so far ventured into space, most have gone only as far as near-Earth orbit, and none have traveled beyond the orbit of the Moon. Achieving humans' further progress into the solar system had proved far more difficult than imagined in the heady days of the Apollo missions, but the potential rewards remain substantial. During its more than 50-year history, NASA's success in human space exploration has depended on the agency's ability to effectively address a wide range of biomedical, engineering, physical science, and related obstacles-an achievement made possible by NASA's strong and productive commitments to life and physical sciences research for human space exploration, and by its use of human space exploration infrastructures for scientific discovery. The Committee for the Decadal Survey of Biological and Physical Sciences acknowledges the many achievements of NASA, which are all the more remarkable given budgetary challenges and changing directions within the agency. In the past decade, however, a consequence of those challenges has been a life and physical sciences research program that was dramatically reduced in both scale and scope, with the result that the agency is poorly positioned to take full advantage of the scientific opportunities offered by the now fully equipped and staffed ISS laboratory, or to effectively pursue the scientific research needed to support the development of advanced human exploration capabilities. Although its review has left it deeply concerned about the current state of NASA's life and physical sciences research, the Committee for the Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space is nevertheless convinced that a focused science and engineering program can achieve successes that will bring the space community, the U.S. public, and policymakers to an understanding that we are ready for the next significant phase of human space exploration. The goal of this report is to lay out steps and develop a forward-looking portfolio of research that will provide the basis for recapturing the excitement and value of human spaceflight-thereby enabling the U.S. space program to deliver on new exploration initiatives that serve the nation, excite the public, and place the United States again at the forefront of space exploration for the global good.

Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration

Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309163846
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 464

Get Book Here

Book Description
More than four decades have passed since a human first set foot on the Moon. Great strides have been made in our understanding of what is required to support an enduring human presence in space, as evidenced by progressively more advanced orbiting human outposts, culminating in the current International Space Station (ISS). However, of the more than 500 humans who have so far ventured into space, most have gone only as far as near-Earth orbit, and none have traveled beyond the orbit of the Moon. Achieving humans' further progress into the solar system had proved far more difficult than imagined in the heady days of the Apollo missions, but the potential rewards remain substantial. During its more than 50-year history, NASA's success in human space exploration has depended on the agency's ability to effectively address a wide range of biomedical, engineering, physical science, and related obstacles-an achievement made possible by NASA's strong and productive commitments to life and physical sciences research for human space exploration, and by its use of human space exploration infrastructures for scientific discovery. The Committee for the Decadal Survey of Biological and Physical Sciences acknowledges the many achievements of NASA, which are all the more remarkable given budgetary challenges and changing directions within the agency. In the past decade, however, a consequence of those challenges has been a life and physical sciences research program that was dramatically reduced in both scale and scope, with the result that the agency is poorly positioned to take full advantage of the scientific opportunities offered by the now fully equipped and staffed ISS laboratory, or to effectively pursue the scientific research needed to support the development of advanced human exploration capabilities. Although its review has left it deeply concerned about the current state of NASA's life and physical sciences research, the Committee for the Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space is nevertheless convinced that a focused science and engineering program can achieve successes that will bring the space community, the U.S. public, and policymakers to an understanding that we are ready for the next significant phase of human space exploration. The goal of this report is to lay out steps and develop a forward-looking portfolio of research that will provide the basis for recapturing the excitement and value of human spaceflight-thereby enabling the U.S. space program to deliver on new exploration initiatives that serve the nation, excite the public, and place the United States again at the forefront of space exploration for the global good.

Safe Passage

Safe Passage PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309170311
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 317

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Book Description
Safe Passage: Astronaut Care for Exploration Missions sets forth a vision for space medicine as it applies to deep space voyage. As space missions increase in duration from months to years and extend well beyond Earth's orbit, so will the attendant risks of working in these extreme and isolated environmental conditions. Hazards to astronaut health range from greater radiation exposure and loss of bone and muscle density to intensified psychological stress from living with others in a confined space. Going beyond the body of biomedical research, the report examines existing space medicine clinical and behavioral research and health care data and the policies attendant to them. It describes why not enough is known today about the dangers of prolonged travel to enable humans to venture into deep space in a safe and sane manner. The report makes a number of recommendations concerning NASA's structure for clinical and behavioral research, on the need for a comprehensive astronaut health care system and on an approach to communicating health and safety risks to astronauts, their families, and the public.

Medical and Biological Problems of Space Flight

Medical and Biological Problems of Space Flight PDF Author: Geoffrey H. Bourne
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 1483264963
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
Medical and Biological Problems of Space Flight covers the proceedings of the conference held in Nassau, the Bahamas. The book focuses on the biological and medical problems of space flight, as well as advanced manned space systems, cardiovascular adaptability, weightlessness, and remote visual monitoring. The selection first offers information on the development of manned space vehicles and advanced manned space systems, including manned satellite and space stations, safety considerations, and man-machine aspects. The book also takes a look at Marsflight II space cabin simulator and device for simulating weightlessness. Discussions focus on the psychological aspects of real and simulated weightlessness; physiological effects of real and simulated weightlessness; and critique of simulation excellence. The publication examines maintenance of cardiovascular adaptability during prolonged weightlessness and the physical, biological, and medical aspects of weightlessness. The text then ponders on remote visual monitoring during extended space missions and cosmic ray shower production in manned space vehicles. Topics include electron-proton showers and limitations imposed by communications on transmission of pictorial information from a space vehicle. The selection is a valuable reference for readers interested in the medical and biological problems of space flight.

Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions

Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions PDF Author: Jancy C. McPhee
Publisher: U. S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 396

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Book Description


Biology in Space and Life on Earth

Biology in Space and Life on Earth PDF Author: Enno Brinckmann
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9783527616992
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
This concise yet comprehensive treatment of the effects of spaceflight on biological systems includes issues at the forefront of life sciences research, such as gravitational biology, immune system response, bone cell formation and the effects of radiation on biosystems. Edited by a leading specialist at the European Space Agency (ESA) with contributions by internationally renowned experts, the chapters are based on the latest space laboratory experiments, including those on SPACELAB, ISS, parabolic flights and unmanned research satellites. An indispensable source for biologists, medical researchers and astronautics experts alike. The results of Space flight experiments, ground controls and flight simulations pave the way for a better understanding of gravity reactions in various organisms down to molecular mechanisms. This publication marks also the beginning of a new Space flight era with the construction and exploitation of the International Space Station (ISS) which provides a platform for an in-depth continuation of experiments under weightlessness in Low Earth Orbit and beyond.

Space Science in the Twenty-first Century

Space Science in the Twenty-first Century PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Astronomy
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description


Encyclopedia of Bioastronautics

Encyclopedia of Bioastronautics PDF Author: Laurence R. Young
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9783319121901
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This comprehensive encyclopedia serves the needs of biomedical researchers, space mission planners and engineers, aerospace medicine physicians, graduate students, and professors interested in obtaining an up-to-date and readable introduction to bioastronautics, the science of humans in space. Following the excitement and progress of the birth of the space age in the fifties and sixties, with the successes in human space flight – culminating with the Moon landings – the field of bioastronautics retreated into the more workmanlike arena of successively longer stays in low Earth orbit. At this time, major new initiatives are ahead both in human and robotic space exploration. The International Space Station, along with the developing Chinese space station and lunar program, will permit the development and testing of the means of astronaut protection for long duration missions – eventually to Mars and its moons, as well as visits to asteroids, other NEOs, and the Lagrange points. New life support systems and innovative approaches to radiation protection beyond Earth’s magnetic field will all be developed and tested. Meanwhile, the search for extraterrestrial life, past or even present, is accelerating – with the spectacular finds of Martian water and the discovery of potentially habitable extra-solar planets. A new generation of scientists is ready to attack a new set of problems, and is in need of an efficient, accurate and searchable means of discovering the essentials of the field. This reference work also covers the challenges, past achievements, and potential solutions inherent to the safe exploration of distant space and the search for life off our planet. The entries summarize the tertiary literature and include sufficient data and illustrations to introduce each topic, while avoiding the length and detail of scientific review articles.

A Strategy for Research in Space Biology and Medicine in the New Century

A Strategy for Research in Space Biology and Medicine in the New Century PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309173701
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
Construction of the international space station, scheduled to start in late 1998, ushers in a new era for laboratory sciences in space. This is especially true for space life sciences, which include not only the use of low gravity as an experimental parameter to study fundamental biological processes but also the study of the serious physiological changes that occur in astronauts as they remain in space for increasingly longer missions. This book addresses both of these aspects and provides a comprehensive review of ground-based and space research in eleven disciplines, ranging from bone physiology to plant biology. It also offers detailed, prioritized recommendations for research during the next decade, which are expected to have a considerable impact on the direction of NASA's research program. The volume is also a valuable reference tool for space and life scientists.

Biomedical Results of Apollo

Biomedical Results of Apollo PDF Author: Richard S. Johnston
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aviation medicine
Languages : en
Pages : 602

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Book Description


Space Physiology and Medicine

Space Physiology and Medicine PDF Author: Arnauld E. Nicogossian
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Space flight
Languages : en
Pages : 344

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Book Description
2009 life science book award from IAA.