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Report of the Workshop on Biology-based Technology to Enhance Human Well-being and Function in Extended Space Exploration (1998) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-6

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From page 1...
... The objective was to identify areas in biology-based technology research that appear to hold special promise for carrying biological science into technology directly applicable to space exploration. Workshop participants sought to identify how biological concepts and principles might contribute to enabling technologies for long-duration missions involving the actual presence of humans (as opposed to robots only)
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From page 2...
... Provision of clean water is a basic requirement for extended space exploration missions. A workshop on current technologies in the maturing field of closed-loop aquaculture and innovative fermentation processes used in waste treatment might assist in the development of highly efficient closed-loop regenerative ALS systems for extended space missions.
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From page 3...
... Algae and cyanobacteria are used as nutritional supplements on Earth and might be cultivated for that purpose on spacecraft, as well as for waste treatment, CO2 recycling, and O2 generation. In addition to identifying edible species that could be grown in the space environment, it may also be worth exploring the genetic engineering of algae and/or cyanobacteria to enhance their value and palatability as food, or the development of suitable food processing methods to either remove or degrade undesirable components (such as nucleic acids)
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From page 4...
... A future workshop could explore, for example, the application of biomechanical concepts such as 40-degree-angle wrist settings to provide maximum dexterity and grip, biomolecular materials modeled on strong yet dexterous sharkskin, technologies such as actuators and microelectrical mechanical systems (MEMS) that could assist with movement or self-repair, external sensors that produce haptic and other sensory feedback to the astronaut' and galvanic stimulation to provide cues about spatial orientation in microgravity.
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From page 5...
... A SQUID cryogenic cap or helmet for recording brain waves may be particularly appropriate in the space environment, where temperatures are theoretically cold enough to make the SQUlDs superconducting. A future workshop could explore the benefits and feasibility of designing such a system.
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From page 6...
... Evidence from everyday life and biomedical research-including a rapid increase in understanding of the central nervous system and its plasticity-points to an inherent biological capability for dual adaptation. A combination of pharmacological intervention and appropriate training and exercise might effectively prepare astronauts for adaptation to alternating gravitational states.
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Key Terms

  • space exploration
  • extended space
  • human exploration
  • enhancing human
  • human presence

  • participants sought
  • space environment
  • exhibit emergent
  • optimal decision
  • power requirements

  • future workshop
  • biological organisms
  • identify biological
  • process augmented
  • suit design

  • improved situational
  • increase reliability
  • design incorporating
  • cognitive states
  • brain waves

  • advanced life
  • space studies
  • learning process
  • enhance human
  • space suit

  • situational awareness
  • behavior mediated
  • incorporating biological
  • water processing
  • deploy specialized


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