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Executive Summary
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From page 1... ... The strategy for achieving that goal as originally enunciated in the 1987 Goldberg report, A Strategy for Space Biology and Medical Science for the 1980s and 1990s,~ remains generally valid today. However, during the past decade there has been an explosion of new scientific understanding catalyzed by advances in molecular and cell biology and genetics, a substantially increased amount of information from flight experiments, and the approach of new opportunities for long-term space-based research on the International Space Station. Read the entire page →
From page 2... ... The sections that follow summarize the Committee on Space Biology and Medicine's priorities for NASA-supported research, its recommendations for high-priority research in individual disciplines, and its recommendations for overall priorities for NASA-sponsored research across disciplinary boundaries. The final section outlines significant concerns in the program and policy arena and offers related recommendations. Read the entire page →
From page 3... ... In particular, the use of saturation mutagenesis to identify genetic components of development, the recognition that molecular mechanisms are conserved across phylogeny, and the information provided by genome sequencing projects have transformed basic developmental studies since the publication in 1987 of the Goldberg report.5 In the present report the committee stresses the importance of two types of studies, those looking at life cycles and those examining development of gravity-sensing systems such as the vestibular system. Complete Life Cycles in Microgravity � The committee recommends that key model organisms be grown through two complete life cycles in space to determine whether there are any critical events during development that are affected by space conditions. Read the entire page →
From page 4... ... Thus, the critical periods for cellular proliferation, migration, and differentiation and programmed cell death should be identified and the effects of microgravity on these processes assessed. Neural Space Maps Neurons composing the brainstem, hippocampal, striatal, and sensory and motor cortical space maps should be investigated as part of the following recommended studies: � The role of otolithic stimulation on the development and maintenance of the different neural space maps should be investigated. Read the entire page →
From page 5... ... � To conduct a meaningful seed-to-seed experiment, NASA needs to develop the following: A superior plant growth unit, with adequate lighting, gas exchange, and water and/or nutrient delivery; and Arabidopsis thaliana plants that are insensitive to expected environmental stresses and that contain indicator genes for all the expected environmental stresses, such as high levels of CO2, vibration, anaerobiosis, water stress, and temperature stresses. Read the entire page →
From page 6... ... Some of these areas require additional study, and a number of new experimental questions arise, given current knowledge and the need to consider human performance during extended-duration space missions. Spatial Orientation Future work should emphasize mechanisms related to the active control of body orientation and movement rather than passive thresholds for the detection of angular or linear acceleration. Read the entire page →
From page 7... ... Posture and Locomotion The severe reentry disturbances of posture and locomotion experienced by astronauts and cosmonauts after even short-duration spaceflight pose potentially dangerous operational problems. These disturbances would be especially critical in long-duration missions that require accurate postural, locomotory, and manipulatory control during transitions in background force level. Read the entire page →
From page 8... ... Even after missions of a few weeks, the locomotion of astronauts is very unstable immediately after they return to Earth, owing to a combination of orthostatic intolerance, altered otolith-spinal reflexes, reliance on weakened atrophic muscles, and inappropriate motor patterns. The committee's high-priority research recommendations are summarized below: � Priority should be given to research that focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying muscle weakness, fatigue, incoordination, and delayed-onset muscle soreness. Read the entire page →
From page 9... ... � Determine the mechanisms underlying inadequate total peripheral resistance observed during postflight orthostatic stress. � Identify and validate appropriate methods for referencing intrathoracic vascular pressures to systemic pressures in microgravity. Read the entire page →
From page 10... ... 2. Acquired immune responses should be examined, including specific humoral and cellular im mune responses. Read the entire page →
From page 11... ... Evidence from previous space missions and from analogue studies suggests that behavioral responses to these environmental stressors will be influenced by characteristics of the individuals, groups, and organizations involved in long-duration missions. The following list broadly summarizes, in order of priority, the recommended research for behavior and performance during long-duration missions in space: 1. Read the entire page →
From page 12... ... These countermeasures include the following: Screening and selection procedures that are based on a "select-in" assessment of individual personality characteristics and interpersonally oriented psychological assessments of crew compatibility; Training programs that are team oriented and that enable crews to successfully address the social, cultural, and psychological issues likely to occur in flight; Organizational countermeasures for filling unstructured time and reducing boredom and monotony; Clinical countermeasures, such as the use of psychoactive medications in microgravity environments and the use of voice analysis for monitoring the interpersonal performance of crews; and Design of spacecraft interiors and amenities to maximize control over the physical environment and reduce the impacts of physical monotony on behavior and performance. CROSSCUTTING RESEARCH PRIORITIES This section summarizes the committee's recommendations for the highest-priority research across the entire spectrum of space life sciences. Read the entire page →
From page 13... ... Development of effective countermeasures requires advances in several areas of research: � Research should emphasize studies that provide mechanistic insights into the development of effective countermeasures for preventing bone and muscle deterioration during and after spaceflight. � Ground-based model systems, such as hindlimb unloading in rodents, should be used to investigate the mechanisms of changes that reproduce in-flight and postflight effects. Read the entire page →
From page 14... ... � The specific mechanisms underlying inadequate total peripheral resistance observed during postflight orthostatic stress should be determined. � Current antiorthostatic countermeasures should be reevaluated to refine those that offer protection and eliminate those that do not. Read the entire page →
From page 15... ... and psychosocial (individual, group, organizational) mechanisms underlying the effects of physical and psychosocial environmental stressors. Read the entire page →
From page 16... ... If significant developmental effects are detected, control experiments must be performed to determine whether gravity or some other element of the space environment induces these developmental abnormalities. � An analogous experiment should be carried out with the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to confirm results obtained on Mir with a preliminary experiment using Brassica rapa. Read the entire page →
From page 17... ... � NASA should regularly evaluate the composition of scientific review panels to ensure that the feasibility of proposed flight experiments receives appropriate expert evaluation. Integration of Research Activities . Read the entire page →
From page 18... ... 2. Space Science Board, 1987, A Strategy for Space Biology and Medical Science for the 1980s and l990s, p. Read the entire page →
From page 19... ... PART I Overview Read the entire page →

From page 1...

... The strategy for achieving that goal as originally enunciated in the 1987 Goldberg report, A Strategy for Space Biology and Medical Science for the 1980s and 1990s,~ remains generally valid today. However, during the past decade there has been an explosion of new scientific understanding catalyzed by advances in molecular and cell biology and genetics, a substantially increased amount of information from flight experiments, and the approach of new opportunities for long-term space-based research on the International Space Station.

Executive Summary Pages 1-20

Executive Summary
Pages 1-20