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LIFE SCIENCES DIVISION

STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

APRIL 1989

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LIFE SCIENCES DIVISION

STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

APRIL 1989

Life Sciences Division

Office of Space Science and Applications

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, D.C.

FOREWORD

Since 1970, the direction of space life sciences has evolved from operational medical support and

enabling human survival in space to seeking an understanding of the causative mechanisms

underlying space adaptation, predicting related health-threatening issues, and developing more

effective procedures and countermeasures. In addition, the program has begun to emphasize basic

sciences in the areas of fundamental biology and planetary ecology. By combining basic and

applied scientific research, it is now possible to acquire the biomedical knowledge and technological capability to enable humans and other species to venture safely into near-Earth space and

beyond. At the same time, the program addresses some of the most fundamental questions of

science and mankind: How has gravity shaped the development of life, indeed our existence?

What is the origin of life itself? How is life interacting with and changing planet Earth? Does life

exist elsewhere in the uniw:rse?

Today, the Life Sciences Program covers a truly interdisciplinary field, both advancing scientific

and technical knowledge and optimizing life support for human space flight, exploration and safe

return to Earth.

Activities in support of these two major program thrusts include: a biomedical and advanced technology development program aimed at producing requirements, procedures, and subsystems for

health maintenance, medk:al operations, and extravehicular activity (EVA); closed loop life

support systems research and development directly supporting manned space missions; and, a

basic bioscience program that includes space and global biology and exobiology. Each program

makes a unique contribution to the biological sciences, and no program area is considered

secondary in the integrated strategy. The sequence, pace, and priorities for implementation in each

of the three areas are dependent upon the overall goals of the National Space Policy and the opportunities for contributing to these goals.

This document delineates the strategic constraints and provides a programmatic reference for the

activities of the Life Sciences Division, NASA Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA).

The Plan takes into consideration the requirements and recommendations formulated by different

NASA offices and Life Sciences advisory groups.

The Plan includes currently approved programs and projects. It also describes proposed initiatives

and program enhancemenk_ for future years, leading to programmatic and budgetary review and

approval. These planned activities are included to indicate the direction of the programs and to

present current and future activity in an appropriate visionary context.

This Plan is controlled by the Life Sciences Division and will be updated annually, based primarily

upon overall NASA programmatic priorities and decisions.

Arnauld E. Nicogossian_.D.

Director, Life Sciences Division

LIFE SCIENCES GOALS

AND

LIFE SCIENCES OBJECTIVES

To ensure the health, well-being, and performance of humans in space

Understand the physiological, sociological, and psychological implications of

human space flight and return to a gravity field.

Determine and develop medical and fife support capabilities to enable human

expansion beyond the Earth and into the solar system

in conjunction with mission program offices.

Manage and ensure effective implementation of all space operational

medicine activities in NASA.

To develop an understanding of the role of gravity on living systems

in space

Determine the combined effects of microgravity and other environmental

stresses on biological systems.

Understand the effects of gravity on the life cycles of animals and plants.

To expand our understanding of the origin, evolution, and distribution

of life in the universe

Understand the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe and

search for evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Investigate how biological and planetary processes interact.

To promote the application of life sciences research to Improve the quality of life

on Earth

Support focused activities to identify and pursue such applications.

ii

LIFE SCIENCES DIVISION

STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD .............................................................................................................................................................. i

LIFE SCIENCES GOALS AND OBJECTWES ..................................................................................................... ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................................................... iii

TABLE OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................. iv

I. GOALS AND OBJECTFVES ..................................................................................................................... 1

A°

B.

C.

D.

National Space Policy ................................................................................................................. 1

NASA Goals and Long-Range Planning ................................................................................. 1

OSSA Strategic Planning ............................................................................................................ 1

Life Sciences Strategic Planning and Goals ............................................................................. 2

II. LIFE SCIENCES PROGI;_AM AND PLANNED INmATWES .......................................................... 5

A°

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

Integrated Discipline Approach ................................................................................................ 5

Operational Medicine ................................................................................................................. 5.

Biomedical Research ................................................................................................................... 7

Space Biology ............................................................................................................................. 12

Exobiology ................................................................................................................................. 13

Biospheric Research .................................................................................................................. 15

Controlled Ecological Life Support System .......................................................................... 17

Flight Program.,; and Advanced Technology Development ............................................... 18

Summary of Current and Planned Initiatives ....................................................................... 19

Life Sciences Educational Program ........................................................................................ 19

Earth Benefits from Space Life Sciences ................................................................................ 21

III. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................................ 21

A°

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

Major Progrartunatic Constraints ........................................................................................... 21

Program Priorities and Decision Process ............................................................................... 21

NASA Infrastructure ................................................................................................................ 22

Universities ................................................................................................................................ 23

Other Federal Agencies ............................................................................................................ 23

International Pzogram .............................................................................................................. 23

Access to Flight .......................................................................................................................... 27

IV. ENABLING HUMAN FXPLORATION MISSIONS .......................................................................... 29

V. MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 32

VI. RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................................ 35

VII. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS ................................................................................................................. 39

iii
TABLE OF FIGURES

Title

.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

Life Sciences Evolving Strategies ..................................................................................................... 3

Life Sciences Programs Relationship to Two Principal Goals ..................................................... 6

Operational Medicine Program ........................................................................................................ 6

Biomedical Research Program--EDO and EDCO ......................................................................... 9

Biomedical Research Program--EVA Development .................................................................... 9

Biomedical Research Program--Environmental Monitoring .................................................... 10

Biomedical Research Program--Radiation .................................................................................. 10

Biomedical Research/Space Biology Programs--Bioplatforms ................................................ 11

Space Biology Program ................................................................................................................... 13

Exobiology Program ........................................................................................................................ 15

Biospheric Research Program ......................................................................................................... 16

CELSS Program ................................................................................................................................ 18

LSD Science Programs Relationship to Program Initiation---Near Term ................................ 20

Life Sciences Initiatives Being Planned--Mid/Long-Term ....................................................... 20

Life Sciences Division Involvement with STS .............................................................................. 24

Life Sciences Division Involvement with Space Station Freedom ............................................ 25

Life Sciences Division Involvement with Planning of Major New Exploration Missions .... 26

Life Sciences Spacelab Activities .................................................................................................... 28

Life Sciences Strategies for Evolving Requirements and Technologies ................................... 30

Interlocking Relationships Among the STS, Space Station Freedom,

and Major Human Exploration Missions ..................................................................................... 33

Life Sciences Division Organization .............................................................................................. 34

Life Sciences Division Core Program ............................................................................................ 36

Relative Distribution of Science Activities (FY 1989) .................................................................. 37

Life Sciences Portion of President's FY 1990 Budget ................................................................... 37

Life Sciences FY 1990 Budget Information ................................................................................... 38

Life Sciences FY 1990 Budget Information ................................................................................... 38

iv
I. GOALS AND OBJECIJVES

The Life Sciences Program is developed within the

context of the National Space Policy, NASA Goals

and Long-Range Planning, Office of Space Science

and Applications (OSSA) Strat_;ic Planning, Office

of Exploration (OEXP) Planning, and the recommendations of the Life Sciences Strategic Planning

Study Committee. The Program is both responsive

to and constrained by these pohcy and directional

inputs. See Section VII for refen_nce documents.

A. NATIONAL SPACE POLICY

The Presidential Directive on Na _ional Space Policy,

released on February 11, 1988, slates that "a fundamental objective guiding United States space activities has been, and continues tobe_space leadership."

Of major significance is the ex)ntinuing national

commitment to a permanently manned Space Station.

Civilian space program goals of relevance to space

life sciences are:

• Obtain scientific, technological, and economic

benefits for the general population

• Improve the quality of life on Earth through

space-related activities

• Promote international coopc.rative activities

• Expand human presence and activity beyond

Earth orbit into the solar system

It was stressed that leadership iii space can only be

maintained through the active development of a

vital scientific research base and technology

programs, and the policies endorse the pursuit of

endeavors in this regard.

B. NASA GOALS AND LONG-RANGE

PLANNING

NASA's vision is to be at the forefront of advancements in aeronautics, space science, and exploration. To set a course into the 21st century and bring

this vision to reality, NASA will pursue major goals

that represent its aspirations in eiviation and space.

These goals are:

1. Advance scientific knowledge of the planet Earth,

the solar system, and the universe beyond;

2. Expand human presence beyond the Earth into

the solar system; and,

3. Enhance aeronautics research and technology

development to strengthen U.S. leadership in

civil and military aviation.

Successful pursuit of these major goals requires

commitment to the following supporting goals:

1. Operate an effective and efficient space transportation system and develop advanced space

transportation capabilities;

2. Establish the permanently occupied Space Station Freedom in low-Earth orbit during the 1990' s

for research, technology development, and operations; and

3. Expand space research and technology development to enable future civil mission options, to

serve all national space sectors, and to promote

civil space leadership.

As NASA pursues these goals, it will:

1. Promote application of aerospace technologies

to improve the quality of life on Earth and extend U.S. commercial enterprise beyond Earth;

2. Conduct cooperative activities with other countries, consistent with national space goals; and

3. Developand employ its human resources, physical facilities, and systems in space and on Earth

for effective pursuit of NASA goals.

NASA long-range planning depends upon enhancements of STS capabilities, particularly extended

mission durations and productive crew time. Also

pivotal in future planning is the development of the

Space Station Freedom and the availability of the

Life Sciences research and operational facilities.

C. OSSA STRATEGIC PLANNING

The NASA Life Sciences Program is planned and

directed by the Life Sciences Division, one of the

elements of the NASA Office of Space Science and

Applications (OSSA). OSSA is responsible for planning, directing, executing, and evaluating that part

of the overall NASA program that has as its goal the

utilization of the unique characteristics of the space

environment to conduct a scientific study of the universe, to solve practical problems on Earth, and to
provide the scientific foundation for expanding

human presence beyond Earth into the solar system.

In abbreviated form, the OSSA overall objectives are

as follows:

Observe the universe with high sensitivity and

resolution across the entire magnetic spectrum

by completing the great observatories.

Complete the detailed scientific characterization of the inner solar system and the nearer regions of the outer solar system.

Quantitatively describe the physical behavior of

the Sun, the origins of solar variability, the

geospace environment, and the effects of solar

processes on the Earth.

Establish observing platforms to study Earth

systems on a global scale, examine the evidence

of global change, and eventually develop the

capability to predict changes that might occur.

Determine, develop, and exploit capabilities of

Space Station Freedom and other space-based

facilities to study the nature of physical, chemical, and biological processes in a low gravity

environment and apply these studies toadvance

science and applications.

Conduct and coordinate all operational medicine activities within NASA; determine human

health, well-being, and performance needs and

establish science and technology requirements

for those needs for human flight missions.

• Develop and apply advances in communications and information systems.

To maintain the OSSA program's viability, vitality,

and flexibility, a strategic planning process has been

initiated, which is designed to enable appropriate

contributions to the achievement of overall NASA

goals. Life Sciences strategic planning is an integral

component of that process.

D. LIFE SCIENCES STRATEGIC PLANNING

AND GOALS

The Life Sciences Division, since its establishment,

has had two principal goals:

• The assurance of the health, safety, and productivity of humans in space

• The acquisition of fundamental scientific knowledge concerning space life sciences

These two goals are interactive and have been care--

fully balanced. The first is mandatory in the support

of overall Agency human exploration goals, while

the second is both supportive of the first goal and an

inherent part of NASA's strategy for a balanced

program in the space sciences.

Since the completion of the Skylab Program in 1974,

the National Academy of Sciences and the NASA

Advisory Council (NAC) were commissioned by

NASA to develop science and program strategies for

the different elements of space life sciences. (Several

of these advisory reports are listed in Section VII.)

The most recent activity and the most encompassing, concluded in 1988, was the report entitled,

Exploring the Living Universe: A Strategy for the Space

Life Sc/ences, conducted under the auspices of NAC.

The four overarching recommendations of this Life

Sciences Strategic Planning Study Committee,

chaired by Dr. Frederick Robbins, were:

Maintain and expand the Nation's life sciences

research facilities located at NASA's feld centers, universities, and industrial centers by:

Establishing a mechanism for attracting

promising young scientists to work on NASA

projects and developing additional training

programs at major universities and NASA

installations

Establishing a program of NASA-supported

professorships in space life sciences at selected universities

Encouraging industries to develop capabilities in space life sciences through technology research and development.
Assure timely and sustained access to space

flight, thereby facilitating the conduct of critical

life sciences experiments. T_ds should beaccomplished through:

Accumulating state-of-the-art instrumentation

-- Flying an augmented series of Spacelab

missions

Using a series of autonc,mous bioplatforms

to study radiation and variable-gravity effects

-- Dedicating suitable facilities on the Phase 1

Space Station for life sciences research

Conducting a major augmentation of life

sciences capabilities during the early PostPhase 1 Space Station.

Synergize the presently independent research

activities of national and international organizations through the developr_ent of cooperative

programs in the life science_ at NASA and university laboratories.

Complete and consolidate the unique national

data base consisting of basic life sciences information and the results of biomedical studies of

astronauts conducted on a longitudinal basis.

This data base should be expanded to incorporate information obtained by other spacefaring

nations and be available to all participating partnets.

These recommendations were generated in the time

frame of NASA's planning for Space Station Freedom and consideration of follow-on missions as

identified by the Paine and Ride Reports. The Robbins Committee Report provided a scientific community review of research needs and is consistent

with and expanded upon the previous reports (see

Figure 1); it contains 250 recommendations covering

all life sciences disciplines and programs and incorpora tes recommendations from the previous reports.

The Robbins Committee Report constitutes the basis

for this Plan and provides scientific justification for

planned Life Sciences efforts.

The Life Sciences strategy is balanced across many

science disciplines, and is based upon operational

medicine experience and science continuity. The

scientific disciplines are founded on periodic critical

FIGURE 1

LIFE SCIENCES EVOLVING STRATEGIES

GFK)UND_ASED RESEARCH

1975 1980

• _ A.Uxw_ Advk_yRqw_ SeeS_km W

1985 1990

/

1995
reviews and analyses by the national and

international scientific community, and exploit the

capabilities made available through the established

infrastructure. Well-planned integrated ground and

flight research, development, and medical operations

programs are essential to the success of the Life

Sciences Program.

It is critical that a scientific basis exists for each step

as we proceed in planning our future missions.

Critical knowledge in science and operations is

needed on a schedule compatible with long-range

planning options. It will be necessary to pursue

focused programs of scientific investigations and

technology development to meet these needs.

Throughout this evolving period, the pursuit of

basic scientific knowledge will be balanced with the

needfor information to enable major exploration

missions_ Maintenance of this balance will receive

continuing management attention.

Based on the extensive advisory committee analysis

and recommended strategies, the Life Sciences

Division has established the following programmatic

goals and supporting objectives:

GOAL: To ensure the health, well-being, and

performance of humans in space

Understand the physiological, sociological, and

psychological implicationsofhuman space flight

and return to a gravity feld.

Determine and developmedical and life support

capabilities to enable human expansion beyond

the Earth and into the solar system, in conjunction

with mission program offices.

Manage and ensure effective implementation of

all space operational medicine activities in

NASA.

GOAL: To develop an understanding of the role

of gravity on living systems in space

Determine the combined effects of microgravity

and other environmental stresses on biological

systems.

• Understand the effects of gravity on the life

cycles of animals and plants.

GOAL: To expand our understanding of the

orisin, evolution, and distribution of life

intheuniverse

Understand the origin, evolution, and

distribution of life in the universe and search for

evidence of extraterrestrial life.

• Investigate how biological and planetary

processes interact.

GOAL To promote the application of life

sciences research to improve the quality

of life on Earth.

• Support focused activities toidentifyand pursue

such applications.
II. LIFE SCIENCES PROGRAM AND

PLANNED INITIATIVES

A. INTEGRATED DISCIPLINE

APPROACH

The NASA Life Sciences Program is structured into

the following seven major program elements:

• Operational Medicine

• Biomedical Research

• Space Biology

• Exobiology

• Biospheric Research

• Controlled Ecological Life Support System

(CELSS)

• Flight Programs and Advanced Technology

Development

The scope of each of these program elements is

presented in this Section. Figure 2 illustrates the

overlapping relationships among the major Life

Sciences programs. These relationships are identified

in the following descriptions of the major program

elements.

B. OPERATIONAL MEDICINE

The purpose of the Life Sciences Division's

Operational Medicine Program is to ensure crew

health, safety, and performance. A unique and

strong preventative and clinical medicine

organization in aviation and space operations is in

place to support this function. This program

encompasses: the development, updating, and

implementation of crew medical selection and

retention standards; implementation of clinical

medicine programs foreach manned flight mission;

certification of crews for space flight duties and

maintaining a health stabilization program prior to

flight; and, conduct of longitudinal studies of active

and retired astronauts. Activiti(_ include preflight,

postflight and annual medical examinations of

crewrnembers, inflight health monitoring, emergency

medical support, and development of flight rules

and procedures. An environmental health

monitoring and intervention program adresses

spacecraft toxicology, barophysioiogy,

vibroacoustics, and radiation dosimetry. Support is

provided to the Office of Space Flight with respect to

crew equipment development a_ d testing(including

life support systems) and escape systems

development. The Operational Medicine Program

provides requirements to the biomedical program

for research and development of countermeasures

to mitigate changes due to space flight. It also

maintainsand updates thehealthdata base to identify

long-term adaptative mechanisms to single repeated

exposures to space. Requirements for a Health

Maintenance Facility have been developed for Space

Station Freedom. In the mid 1990s, Phase A/B

studies are planned to be initiated for Advanced

Medical Care Facilities for future human space flight.

See Figure 3 for schedules.

The following is a summary of the Life Sciences

Strategic Planning Study Committee

recommendations regarding Operational Medicine:

Relevant biomedical data from astronauts should

be obtained at every opportunity, both during

flight (at regular intervals during long-duration

missions) and longitudinally on the ground.

Operational Medicine at NASA should work

with other Agency divisions and Government

health agencies that deal with issues of mutual

interest, such as osteoporosis, radiation exposure,

and exercise physiology.

A prospective long-term study should be

pursued investigating screening techniques, such

as whole-body magnetic resonance imaging or

possibly positron emission tomography, for use

in crew selection for multiyear missions.

• Development of a high-pressure EVA hard suit

for the Space Station should be actively pursued.

Research into the development of

countermeasures for space adaptation, including

exercise, diet, and variable gravity, should

continue to be pursued with vigor.

Operational Medicine should periodically

review and evaluate environmental standards

for spacecraft as an iterative process to ensure

crew health and safety.

Standards for crew work, recreational, and

leisure time should be established to maximize

crew productivity during extended missions.
FIGURE 2

LIFE SCIENCES PROGRAMS RELATIONSHIP TO TWO PRINCIPAL GOALS

ACQUISITION OF FUNDAMENTAl.

_LEDGE CONCERNING

SPACE LIFE SCIENCES :

ASSURANCE OF THE HEALTH,

SAFETY, AND PRODUCTIVITY

OF HUMANS IN SPACE

FIGURE 3

OPERATIONAL MEDICINE PROGRAM

HEALTH

MAINTENANCE

FACILITY

SPACE STATION

FREEDOM

ADVANCED

MEDICAL CARE

FACIUTY

MEDICAL

TECHNOLOGY

DEMONSTRATIONS

1989 1990 1991

OPERATIONAL

• SYSTEM

REQUIREMENTS

I

1992 1993

C/D

I

FISCAL YEAR

1994 !1995 1996

ASSEMBLY

_B

1997

_1

I

LI

r

1998 1999 2000

OPERATIONS

I

GROUND

DEVELOPMENT

L

6
C. BIOMEDICAL RESEARCIt

The Biomedical Research Pro_'am provides the

scientific base for the Operational Medicine Program

and concentrates on understanding the physiological

adaptive changes that occur as a result of space

flight. One of the major objectiw_ of this program is

the development and testing of countermeasures to

maintain the health and well-being of space crews.

Our experiencein space flight has demonstrated that

microgravity induces adapti_te responses and

changes in most physiological systems. These

changes, though compatible with function in

weightlessness, can result in health problems, such

as infections, renal calculus, or space motion sickness.

In addition, adaptation to weigh flessness means deadaptation to the force of gravity in the

cardiovascular, neurosensory, muscular, and skeletal

systems. The environment of space flight also has an

impact on the overall health and well-being of space

travelers; this includes spacecraft habitability and

toxicology in a confined environment,

psychosociological effects of extlmded confinement,

and cosmic radiation, which represents a particular

and significant health hazard. Included is an

environmental medicine research program

encompassing spacecraft toxicology, microbiology,

barophysiology, vibroacousties, radiation dosimetry,

and EVA requirements. The program establishes

the scientific foundation for improving crew

selection, medical care, training, monitoring, and for

enhancingcrew productivity and protection in space.

The Biomedical Research Program supports the

Operational Medicine Program by providing

environmental requirements and countermeasures,

and medical knowledge for practice of clinical and

preventative medicine.

Proposed program initiatives to implement the

Biomedical strategies in 1990-_1992 are described

below.

Extended Duration Orbiter ?rogram (EDO) is a

response to the requirement to extend Space

Transportation System (STS) mission durations

from a current maximum of 10 days up to 28

days. The extended flight times create

physiological demands on the crewmembers

that cannot be adequately a&_ssed using current

information. The STS differs from previous

spacecraft because the crew is subjected to

different hypergravity stre.._ses before reentry

and must perform reentry, landing, and egress

(including escape) operations that require

proficiency and physical capabilities that were

not needed before the STS era. From previous

STS flights, it has become apparent that new

procedures and countermeasures need to be

developed to ensure the safety and success of

EDO missions. During the EDO Program a

database will be developed to define and

understand the operational significance of flightinduced alterations in physiology. Procedures

and countermeasures for optimizing crew

performance for nominal and contingency entry,

landing, and egress during extended missions

will he developed and verified. Emphasis will

be placed on maintaining orthostatic tolerance,

exercise capacity, and sensorimotor function.

Also, STS EDO environmental and monitoring

requirements for air quality, water potability,

surface contamination, radiation, waste

management, and general habitability will

require upgrading.

Extend,_ Duration Crew Operations (EDCO) is

a program designed to medically qualify routine

180-day crew tours of duty on Space Station

Freedom. Although some crewmembers on the

Soviet Space Station Mir have stayed on orbit for

periods longer than 180 days, significant inflight

biomedical problems have been reported. Inflight

biomedical problems experienced during longduration space flight include muscle wasting,

cardiovascular deconditioning, bone-calcium

metabolismchanges, and psychosocial problems.

Despite extensive inflight countermeasures,

crewmembers have demonstrated such

problems as decreased productivity, inability to

exit the Soyuz spacecraft unassisted after reentry,

and recovery requiring extensive rehabilitation

programs postflight.

While EDCO will provide validation of

countermeasures, the Space Biology Initiative

(described under Space Biology, page 11)

through the study of underlying adaptive

mechanisms will contribute to further refinement

of countermeasures.

one objective of the EDCO Program will be to

document specific factors that limit crew stay

time on orbit, crew performance, postflight crew

adaptation, and the frequency and number of

repeat missions for individual crewmembers.

7
Individual and programmatic risks will be

assessed and risk limits for 180-day tours of duty

will be established. In addition, countermeasures

to mitigatebiomedicalconsequencesofextended

duration missions will be developed and tested.

Life_t Program, using expendable launch

vehicles,wiU provide the capabilities to study on

reusable free-flying satellites the impact of space

environments on biological systems, and to

control unique experimental variables to take

advantageof opportunistic conditions (e.g., solar

flares). An evolutionary approach will be utilized

in the development of these bioplatforms which

may be precursors to a human-rated variablegravity facility. LifeSat will orbit the Earth at a

higher altitude and at higher latitudes than the

STS/Spacelabs. This will create an opportunity

to study the effects of more intense radiation

dosages. Another extremely important feature

that LifeSat brings to Life Sciences research is its

ability to support long-term studies of 30 to 60

days in length within its sizable payload

envelope. Modules planned for LifeSat include

a general biology module, a rodent module, and

a botany module.

LifeSat will provide the opportunity to acquire

data on relatively long-term space flight in unique

environments. Over the long term, LifeSat will

serve as a complement to the continuing Spacelab

series of missions and the facilities on Space

Station Freedom.

Inaddition, Phase A studies are planned to be initiated

in the mid 1990s for bioplatforms capable of

generating artificial gravity as follow-ons to LifeSat

for longduration unmanned experimentation. These

studies will be accomplished in conjunction with the

Project Pathfinder in the Office of Aeronautics and

Space Technology (OAST) and with the Office of

Exploration Programs (OEXP). See Figures 4, 5, 6, 7,

and 8 for schedules.

The following is a summary of the Life Sciences

Strategic Planning Study Committee recommendations regarding Biomedical Research science:

Cardiovascular Physiology

Adequate numbers, verification, and control of

experiments must be achieved if

recommendations for countermeasures are to

be made according to scientific merit.

Verification of the degree of cardiovascular

deconditioning should be obtained while

concomitant countermeasures are developed.

Bed-rest studies and studies using lower body

negative pressure should be continued,bu t they

must be supplemental to inflight research.

Instrumentation for onboard hemodynamic

monitoring should be implemented according

to a well-defined, long-term target.

The role of exercise should be dearly defined in

such areas as susceptibility to space

deconditioning, prevention of cardiovascular

deconditioning, and protection against

cardiovascular dysfunction with prolonged

space flight.

-- Experimentalstudies should be conducted using

humans and animal models.

-- The use of a variable-gravity centrifuge in flight

must be aggressively studied.

Neurophysiology and Behavioral Physiology

• The etiology of space motion sickness should be

identified.

Changes in vestibular and proprioceptive

function in microgravity should be

characterized.

Changes in task performance should be

correlated with changes in vestibular and

proprioceptive functions in microgravity.

Drug development and testing to prevent or

ameliorate the untoward effects of space travel,

such as space adaptation syndrome, should be

made a high priority.

• Behavioral physiologyresearchand performance

should be enhanced.

Bone, Endocrine, and Muscle Physiology

Changes in the neurohumoral responses to

microgravity should be characterized and

correlated with the incidence of space motion

sickness or changes in task performance.
FIGURE 4

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM--EDO AND EDCO

EDO

EDCO A

FISCAL YEAR

FIGURE 5

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMmEVA DEVELOPMENT

STS

ml_AIMg_"ll

SPACE STATION

FREEDOM

OiqlRAllONALA

I_lrrl o

REommmlmml

PATHFINDER

PROJECT (OAST)

(REFERENCE

MILESTONES FOR

HUMAN

EXPLORATION

MISSION)

FISCALYEAR

1,- 11,-11,,111-=1100=I1,_J10-I-- 1100, j-- 11,001=_

I I I I

(OSSA)

I I I I

CJD

OPERAT_NS L

I I I I I I I

GLOVE DEVELOPMENT

1 J L

I A. :1_ OPERATIONS

VERIFI CATIOt

(OSSA I REQUIREMENTSI OEVELOP_NT

SUIT TECHNOLOGY OEVELOP_NT m

PRELIMINARY

REQUIREMENTS

A

EVA

SYSTEM

REQUIREMENTS

A

9
FIGURE 6

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM--ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

(MICROBIOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY, WATER QUALITY)

STS

SPACE STATION

FREEDOM

ENVIRONMENTAL

MONITORING

DEC:ON'rAM INATION

(REFERENCE MILESTONES FOR HUMAN

EXPLORATION

MISSION)

1989 I,-I,.,11.,I

I

m_

mm

I

lmmmm.oiT

m

I

FISCAL YEAR

1.3 1., I,.5 I1. I1., I1.° 1.. I,ooo

I I I I I I I I I I

ENVIRONMENTAL MONn'ORING ,_

i I I I I I I I I i

UPDATE OF 8MAC UMIT8

/

ADVANCfD TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

ADVANCED I TECHNOLOGY I DEVELO@MB¢T I ; I REFINEMENT I I I

I TECHNOLOGYANOR!QUIHEMENTI DEVEL_ ; _--_ I

REQUIREMENTS

LX Ll

FIGURE 7

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMIRADIATION

GROUND BASED

RESEARCH

ST,S/COSMOS

DOSIMETRY

ADVANCED

TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT

(INFLIGHT

SHIELDING

EFfiCIENCY AND

RADIATION

BIOLOGY)

PROJECT

PATHFINDER

(SHIELDING

TECHNOLOGY)

FISCAL YEAR

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

UFESAT

l I 1 1 F

]0
FIGURE 8

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH/SPACE BIOLOGY PROGRAMS---BIOPLATFORMS

LIFESAT

(RADIATION

BIOLOGY)

ADVANCED

BIOPLATFORMS

1989 1990

B

1991 1992

FISCAL. YEAR

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

OPERATIONS(1 TO 2 MISSIONSPER YEAR) Z

A B

The relationships between skeletal muscle atrophy and bone demineralization should be explored using bed-rest and inflight studies.

Development of physical and/or pharmacological countermeasures should be made a high

priority.

Hematology

Erythropoietic, lymphocytic, and granulocytic

changes associated with mia'ogravity should be

characterized.

Functional changes in immunology and susceptibility to infectious diseases should be correlated with anyqualitative or quantitative changes

in hematopoietic cell lines.

Radiation

NASA should vigorously pt:rsue basic research

in solar physics in order to model and predict

catastrophic radiation events and to investigate

short-time warning system.,_ that will provide

time for the crew to seek protection.

NASA should vigorously pursue basic research

in the radiation biology of high linear energy

transfer radiation.

NASA should direct the following efforts to

work in shielding and transport research: conduct measurements of the free-space radiation

environments; study the interaction of radiation

with shielding materials through the development of the transport computer codes and accelerator experiments. A balanced approach in

studying the free-space radiation environment,

the radiation environment inside the spacecraft,

and accelerator-based experiments is desirable.

NASA needs to support basic research in instrumentation and measurement of the space radiation environment.

NASA should make a commitment to support

fundamental research on the biological effects of

radiation.

11
D. SPACEBIOLOGY

Oneofthemajorfeaturesofthephysicalenvironment

onEarthis theconstantpresenceof gravity. The

phenomenonof microgravityencounteredinspace

providesa unique opportunity to study the role of

gravity on life on Earth. Access to space provides an

opportunity to manipulate gravity from oneg (Earth

gravity) down to almost zero, providing a broadbased gravitational research capability. The goalsof

the Space Biology Program are to use the unique

characteristicsof the space environment, particularly

microgravity, as tools to advance knowledge in the

biological sciences; understand the role of gravity in

biological processes in plants and animals; and

understand how plants and animals are affected by

and adapt to the space environment. The program

focuses on research to answer basic scientific

questions that are of fundamental importance on

Earth as well asin space. For example, understanding

biomineralization and the mechanisms controlling

the structural integrity of bone are important to

understanding the problem of osteoporosis on Earth

and bone mass loss in space.

The Space Biology Program works closely with the

Biomedical Rsearch Program with respect to

physiological mechanisms of response to

weightlessness.

Proposed program initiatives to implement the Space

Biology strategies in 1990-1992 are described below:

Space Biology Initiative (SBI) is a basic research

flight program that allows for the development

of space instrumentation to support life sciences

payloads on Spacelab and Space Station

Freedom. SBI involves the development of a

suite of facilities supplemented by the 1.8-meter

centrifuge, that will enhance scientific research

as recommended by the Robbins and Goidberg

Committees. SBI will enable investigations

concerning how gravity is sensed and how it

affects reproduction and development. Included

is the study and understanding of the response

mechanisms of major physiological systems (e.g.,

cardiovascular, pulmonary, skeletal, muscle, and

neurosensory systems) to gravitational forces.

To further understand these responses it will be

necessary to measure biochemical, metabolic,

endocrinological, and morphological

interactions. Plant and developmental biologists

and physiologists have speculated for centuries

about the role of gravity in fundamental

processes and how the Earth's gravitational field

has shaped the evolution of life on Earth. The

facilities to he provided by the SBI will allow the

conduct of controlled studies to address these

questions in a manner that has not been possible

heretofore. Extended operation Spacelab

missions will continue throughout the mantended and permanent manned capability phases

of Space Station Freedom. SBI hardware will be

used to support Spacelabs and Space Station

Freedom based science as appropriate.

1.8-MeterCentrifuge Fa¢ilityincludesa variable

speed centrifuge; habitats for rodents, plants,

and small animals; a multi-purpose glovebox

and workbench; and a specimen chamber

resupply. This facility will provide the capability

to vary the gravitational force on a broad range

of living species, under fully controlled

conditions, for extended periods. For the first

time, it will be possible to expose living organisms

to fractional forces up to Earth's gravity for

periods long enough to understand the nature of

biological responses. The physiological

mechanisms responsible for gravity perception

and their threshold sensitivities will be studied

through controlled, replicative experiments. This

facility will he available for scientific research on

Spacelab as well as on Space Station Freedom.

The experiments on Spacelab will focus on the

short-term, transient effects of microgravity and

radiation on bone, muscle, cardiovascular,

neurovestibular, and other biological systems,

with ultimate applications to crew health and

productivity as well as to basic biology. The

centrifuge will help isolate the effects of

microgravity from other variables, including

forces encountered during launch and reentry,

solar and cosmic radiation, and environmental

contamination.

Extended duration missions on Spacelab (Extended Duration Orbiter) will allow more precise analysis of the effects of microgravity. The

long-duration missions possible only on Space

Station Freedom will allow for expanded fundamental research employing multiple generations

of animals and seed-to-seed experiments.

In addition, Phase A/B studies are planned to be

initiated in the mid-1990's for a Variable Gravity

Centrifuge which will be a human-rated research

12
facility for continuation of space experimentation

begun with the 1.8-Meter Centrifuge. See Figure 9

for planned schedules.

The following is a summary of the Life Sciences

Strategic Planning Stucly Committee

recommendations regarding Sluice Biology:

• The objectives of this resea_._h program are to:

Determine the role of gravity in regulating

metabolicrate and prodt_cts, fluid dynamics,

and biorhythms.

Understand the effects of gravity on

biological support s_Jctures and basic

mechanisms of mineral and hormonal

metabolism.

Identify the biological effects of the

interaction of environmental factors, such

as temperature and light, with gravity, and

determine the mechanisms involved.

Use the space environment as a tool to

determine the factors that control the

structure and function of organisms.

NASA should use a sufficient number and

diversity of species to examine representative

examples of gravitational perception, sensing,

response, and adaptation.

Adequate plant and animal unicellular and

multicellular growth facilities must be provided

that include capabilities to rear several

generations under automated control. Particular

emphasis should be placed on maintaining an

in-orbit, multigenerational rat colony.

Proposed investigations similar in scope to work

done previously by other researchers should

use standardized experimental plants and

animals whenever possible.

E. EXOBIOLOGY

Knowledge gained to date suggests that life could

exist elsewhere in the universe. Current research

addresses the hypothesis that life is a natural

consequence of the origin and evolution of stars and

planets. Thus, life is part of the natural continuum of

physical, chemical and biophysical processes that

started with theoriginof the universeitself. Research

FIGURE 9

SPACE BIOLOGY PROGRAM

SPACE BIOLOGY

INITIATIVE

STS/SPACELAB

SPACE STATION

FREEDOM

1.8 I_-I"ER

CENTRIFUGE

FACLITY

VARIABLE

GRAVITY

CENTRIFUGE

198g 1990 1991 11992

B i

AVE I

I

I

i i

1993

FISCAL YEAR

1g94 995

q

9L| _ ;.4

i

i

13

1996

m.!

A/B

I

)97 11998 1999 20OO

gLS-I; 9LS-7

OPERATIONS "_I

ca) ._

i
is conducted in the followingareas: cosmic evolution

of biogenic compounds; prebiotic evolution; early

evolution of life; and the evolution of advanced life.

The principal goal of research in the area of the

cosmic evolution of biogenic compounds is to

determine the history of the biogenic elements (C, H,

N, O, P, S) from their birth in stars to their

incorporation into planetary bodies. Research in

prebiotic evolution seeks to understand the pathways

and processes leading from the origin of a planet to

the origin of life. Research strategies investigate

planetary and molecular processes that set the

physical conditions within which chemical evolution

occurred and living systems arose. The goal of

research into the early evolution of iifeis to determine

the nature of the most primitive organisms, the

environment in which they evolved, and the way in

which they influenced their environment. Research

on the study of the evolution of advanced life seeks

to determine the extrinsic factors influencing the

development of advanced life and its potential

distribution. This research includes an evaluation of

the influence of extraterrestrial influences on the

appearance and evolution of muiticellular life,

conducted by tracing the effects of major changes in

the Earth'senvironment on theevolution of complex

life, especially during mass extinction events, and

searching for evidence of advanced life elsewhere in

the galaxy. Projects conducted under this program

include:

Gas/Grain Simulation Facility (GGSF) is a joint

Life Sciences Division (EB)/Solar System

Exploration Division (EL) effort led by EB to

develop a Space Station Freedom facility that

will allow investigations of fundamental

chemical and physical processes important to

the cosmic origin of the biogenic elements and

compounds, such as the formation, growth,

nucleation, condensation, evaporation, and

mutual interactions of clouds, crystals, dust

grains, and other particles in a microgravity

environment. (The GGSF is an element of SBI.)

This facility can support selected material

sciences experiments.

Intact Cosmic Dust Collector Experiments will

allow the scientific community to participate in

the capture of hypervelocity interplanetary and

interstellar dust particles on Space Station

Freedom with a minimum amount of particle

alteration. These experiments are proposed as

part of the Space Station Cosmic Dust Collection

Facility being developed jointly by EL/EB, led

by EL.

Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

Microwave Observing Program (MOP) will

probe our galaxy for radio signals of possible

extraterrestrialintelligentorigin. Usingexisting

telescopes in NASA's world-wide Deep Space

Network and additional telescopes made

available by other national and foreign

organizations, a targeted search will be

conducted of over 800 solar-type stars within

100 light years of Earth in the 1 to 3 gigahertz

frequency range, and a sky survey will be made

of the entire celestial sphere for signals in the 1 to

10 gigahertz frequency range.

See Figure 10 for the overall Exobiology Program

schedule.

The following is a summary of the Life Sciences

Strategic Planning Study Committee

recommendations regarding Exobiology science:

NASA should pursue vigorous programs of

remote observations, ground-based research,

and exploration of extraterrestrial bodies.

The Exobiology Program should continue on a

broad front to support research on the

prebiological evolution of functional complexity

leading toward living systems, with emphasis

on the following areas:

The organic synthesis of cellular building

blocks in the context of carbon-dioxide-rich

atmospheric and hydrothermal

environments

The organic and inorganic chemical models

for metabolic and self-replicating systems

compatible with existingconstraintson early

environmental conditions

The nature of interactions between

monomers or polymers of nucleotides and

amino acids that constitute the physicalchemical basis for the genetic code.

14
FIGURE 10

EXOBIOLOGY PROGRAM

RSCALYEAR

1=.,i,,,) 11..111_ I,_ 11..4I,.., 11.- I,.., 11.- I-- I_oo

J I I ^ _,"= _', I I I I I I

_D/" SET,MCROW_WOm_RWO_xc-cr

L,& J i i , I i

• .,_AC E STA'I'O_ GIASaORA_ $1EIIJt_TOR _/ITH EL, EN ,

I I I I I I I

,Or=F: _ S_ACEs'r_oN AT'rAO._PA_OAOatwn',cooe_

' ' .ST-_V I I

I^"TI I I^I ! ! _A_T_EV'a I ^S_F

, I I I ?_"I I ^--I I I I

ATO / CCIMETARYR;E,ITIER _ MISSIONS (wrrH COOE ED

_v='l J I I I I"_" I 'I I

AO .S'TUDI4ES / INSTRUMENT DEV; _ P_ (WITH CODE EL

ii ,,,, .......... . ..... , , ,,,,,,,, ,, -- ,

KEY:

/_ - Facility OperatiorVMi=ldon Launch PMC - P_'manently Manned Capability

ATD - Advanced Technology Development SlRTF - Spece Infrared Telescope Facility

CRAF - Comet Rendezvous/Asteroid Flyby SOFIA - Slmtosphedc Ob4tervatory for Infrared

HST - Hubble Space Telescope Astronomy

In the Exobiology Program, research on

contemporary organisms aimed at unraveling

the evolutionary history of life should focus on

the following areas:

The abundance, Fihysiology, and

environment of the rnicroorganisms in

modern homologues o_ ancient microbial

communities

Models of the simplest components of the

apparatus required by microorganisms to

carry out the indispensable energy harvesting, metabolic, and reproductive functions

of life

The phylogeny and physiology of uncultivated organisms that inhabit hot springs,

hydrothermal vents, and planktonic environments

The nature of the common ancestor of contemporary life as characterized by molecular phylogeny.

F. BIOSPHERIC RESEARCH

Living and non-living elements of the Earth are

linked by physical, chemical, and biological

processes. These processes are integrated over the

entire planet by the land, atmosphere, oceans, and

sediments to form a system called the biosphere.

The Biospheric Research Program is dedicated to

understanding how biological and planetary

processes interact, and how, in conjunction with the

environmental effects of human activity, these

processes are affecting the long-term habitability of

the Earth. Research is conducted in the following

areas: wetlands research; temperate forest research;

tropical forest research; global monitoring and

disease prediction; and global studies. Wetlandsrelated activities involve research to gain

understanding of the role of wetlands as a major

terrestrial source of many biogenic trace gases in the

atmosphere. In temperate forest research, the thrust

is to characterize the contribution of soil and canopy

processes in temperate forests to global

biogeochemical cycles and to develop mathematical

models of these processes. The primary interest in

tropical forest research is to understand the

contributions of tropical forests to the composition

15
of the atmosphere and the consequences of human

encroachment. The goal of global monitoring and

disease prediction research using space-borne sensors

and related technology is to define environmental

factors, habitat, vector distribution, and ecology of

insect-borne diseases. Global studies research

integrates remote-sensing and ground-based data

development and validation of mathematical models

of regional, continental, and global biological

processes in order to understand essential

biogeochemical cycling aspects of the global system.

The Biospheric Research Program has developed a

new research initiative, 'TERRA." The goal of this

initiative is to provide an understanding of global

ecosystem dynamics and global change. TERRA

represents the Life Sciences Division's input to

NASA's overall program in Earth System Science.

The planned program will exploit remote sensing

technology, including Earth Probes and the Earth

Observing System (Eos), to increase our

understanding of the in teractions between biological

processes and planetary properties and how these

interactions are affected by natural and human

perturbations. The major objectives of TERRA are

to:

• Continue and extend present studies in

biogeochemical cycling.

• Support a new emphasis on biological research

at the population and community level.

- Enhance support for applications of populationlevel studies to disease-vector populations.

• Promote development of remote sensing

expertise in the ecological community.

Through TERRA and associated activities, the

Biospheric Research Program will implement the

goals noted below in the reports "Earth System

Science: A Closer View" and "Global Change in the

Geosphere-Biosphere" (See Section VII, Reference

Documents). See Figure 11 for schedule.

The Biospheric Research and Exobiology Programs

are interrelated with respect to the evolution of biota

and planetary geochemistry interaction over time.

The following is a summary of the Life Sciences

Strategic Planning Study Committee

recommendations regarding biospheric science:

The Biospheric Research Program should

participate from the biological perspective in tl_e

research outlined in "Earth System Science: A

Closer View" and "Global Change in the

FIGURE 11

BIOSPHERIC RESEARCH PROGRAM

1980

I

1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

IEol New Start Iv _POP_

P_N' n

(TERRA)

I

>

16
Geosphere-Biosphere" (see Section VII,

Reference VII, Reference Dccuments).

G. CONTROLLED ECOLOGICAL LIFE

SUPPORT SYSTEM

Development of a regenerative life support system

with enhanced efficiency for food production and

waste re-cycling involves two for major basic and

integrated functions--physical/chemical life

support elements, and biological life support

elements in a system that is known as a Controlled

Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). The

Division is responsible for mission operational system

requirements forboth physical/chemical life support

systems and for technology development for CE LSS.

The Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology

(OAST) is responsible for advanced technology

development of physical/chemical life support

elements and also supports some CELSS technology

development.

The CELSS Program was initiated on the premise

that NASA's goals would eventually include

extended-duration missions with sizeable crews

requiring capabilities beyond the ability of

conventional life support technology. Currently, as

mission duration and crew size increase, the mass

and volume required for consumable life support

supplies also increases lineaIiy. Under these

circumstances, the logistics arrangements and

associated costs for life supl:_rt resupply will

adversely affect the ability of NASA to conduct longduration missions. A solution to the problem is to

develop technology for the recycling of life support

supplies from wastes. The CEL_3S concept is based

upon the integration of biological and physicochemical processes to construc! a system that will

produce food, potable water, and a breathable

atmosphere from metabolic and other wastes, in a

stable and reliable manner. A _ntral feature of a

CELSS is the use of green plant photosynthesis to

produce food, with the resulting production of

oxygen and potable water, and the removal of carbon

dioxide. Essential in CELSS development are

investigations and technology development in the

areas of plant growth, food processing, energy

balance, waste processing, sensing, controls, and

automated systems. It must also be determined

whether full size plants can grow productively in

microgravity.

The CELSS Program has integrated relationships

with other Life Sciences Prograras. CELSS relies on

the Biomedical Research Program to provide space

human factors and environmental requirements. The

Space Biology Program provides knowledge on

general mechanisms of higher and lower plant

development and responses to combined stresses.

The Exobiology Program will aid in the identification

of indigenous extraterrestrial materials for use in

CELSS. And, the Biospheric Research Program

provides input to small-scale modeling of biological

and physio-chemical interactions and understanding

Earth as a closed system.

A proposed new program initiative in response to

the Life Sciences strategies in 1990-1992 is:

GEL_ Flight Pr ._ts. a collection of research

activities, is underway and planned for Space

Station Freedom. All are steps in the process to

develop a complete or partial bioregenerative

life support system for future exploration

missions. The demonstration-of-technology

project, "FEAST," can also be modified and

adapted to provide one salad per person per day

for Space Station Freedom crewmembers.

(CELSS FEAST is an element of SBI.)

In addition, the following pre-Phase A and Phase A /

B studies are planned to be initiated in the 1990-1996

time frame:

CELSS Ground-based Project. As the next

sequential step, advancing from the current

CELSS Breadboard Facility in operation at KSC,

pre-Phase A activities for a CELSS Man-Rated

Test Prototype Facility.

CELSS Flight Projects. a further set of CELSS

research activities, another in a sequential series,

is planned for Space Station Freedom. A science

research project, "CROPS," will utilize an

augmented "FEAST" to determine plant

productivity in space. It is further envisioned

that pre-Phase A and Phase A/B activities will

begin in the late 1990% building from previous

CELSS projects, for "VAGABOND" if "CROPS"

data proves that artificial gravity is needed to

grow plants in space, to determine the role of

gravity in increasing plant productivity. Current

planning for "VAGABOND" anticipates that,

due to the large volume needed, it will be a

component of the Variable Gravity Centrifuge

(described in Section II.D., Space Biology). The

final step in demonstration of a operational

CELSS system in microgravity or variable gravity

17
will beproject"EDENS" which will test and

evaluate the physical/chemical and biological

technologies required for Space Station Freedom

Phase 2 implementation and/or future

exploration missions.

See Figure 12 for CELSS Program schedule.

The following is a summary of the Life Sciences

Strategic Planning Study Committee

recommendations regarding CELSS science:

NASA should plan to develop a fully workable

ground-based CELSS within a decade that will

provide the basis for designing a flight module

that will be integrated into space-based designs.

• NASA should continue to pursue every

opportunity to fly CELSS experiments.

Testing with two or more persons in a fully

developed CELSS should occur prior to the turn

of the century if NASA expects to establish the

design criteria to build a spaceworthy module.

The tests should be long enough to verify

crop-biomass production, waste

management, system control and

monitoring, and continuous, reliable

operation of all systems.

The CELSS Program should be ready to

begin development of flight-certified

hardware for testing on the Space Station at

about the end of the first definition phase of

a lunar base or Mars mission.

H. FLIGHT PROGRAMS AND ADVANCED

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Flight Programs

Carefully planned and executed experiments in space

provide the detailed knowledge required by each of

the above science programs in order to validate

hypothesesand further refine ground-based research

activities. Accordingly, Flight Programsisone of the

two major budgetary components of the overall Life

Sciences Program. Flight Programs involves the

development of facilities, procedures, and hard wa_

FIGURE 12

CELSS PROGRAM

Ongoing Research Program (R&A)

Focused R&D end Requirements

Development

Breadboard Project

Men-Rated Ground Test Protob/pe

Facility

Space Right Experiments

"FEAST" Feoility

(siNm,-,-,_ suaim)

"VAGABOND"/"EDENS" Facilities

FISCAL YEAR J

1989 1990 1991 1992 1983 1994 1985 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

I I I I ! i I

t i I t i i t t

I I I I I I I L

I

! I I I

A/B

I I I I I

18
forthat portion of life sciences research conducted in

space, including scientific instrumentation,

supporting equipment, mission planning, flight plan

implementation, and scientific data processing. To

ensure the availability of appropriate flight

opportunities and experimental conditions, a variety

of manned and unmanned flight vehicles and

missions are utilized. These include dedicated Life

Sciences missions and missions where it is possible

to exploit opportunities to conduct specific Life

Sciences research on missions devoted primarily to

other purposes. Most of the missions currently

being planned utilize the Space Transportation

System (STS) and Spacelab missions, and the Space

Station Freedom. International missions utilizing

both United States and forei_ satellites are an

important part of the Life Sciences Program, and the

Life Sciences Division also serves to facilitate and

integrate flight research sponscred by other United

States Government agencies.

The Flight Program is implemented through two

major elements: Human Space Flight and Systems

Engineering and Space Biological Systems. The first

element contains programs and projects that support

operational medicine and b_omedical research

requirements by developing and validating

technologies through flight experiments and

demonstrations involving health maintenance;

specific countermeasures to physiological

deconditioning; and life support systems. The second

element contains the development of facilities,

instrumentation, and biosenso_, required to conduct

scientific basic and applied experiments in the areas

of space biology, biospherics, and exobiology.

Advanced Technology Development Program

The Advanced Technology Development Program

supports research leading to the development of

advanced flight instrumentation concepts and

laboratory breadboard s for fu tul'e Life Sciences flight

experiments where accurate, comprehensive, and

sensitive instruments and highly specialized devices

are required. This includes eff_.:_ive methods and

instruments for precise and acct_rate measurements

and imaging of biological and physiological changes

due to microgravityand other spaceflightconditions.

Also involved is the development of effective

technologies for environmental monitoring and

control of spacecraft atmosphen._ and water systems

and radiationdosimetry toensure crew health, safety,

and welfare, and the development of advanced flight

and ground-based data processing systems and

techniques.

As part of its basic complement, Space Station

Freedom will include a Health Maintenance Facility

(HMF) for operational medicine and advanced

medical care studies. The operational requirements

and technology for the HMF were developed by the

Life Sciences Division and provided to the Office of

Space Station. Life Sciences will maintain a watch

for new technology development that might be

applicable, and when the HMF is developed, Life

Sciences will verify that the requirements have been

met.

I. SUMMARY OF CURRENT AND PLANNED

INITIATIVES

In the previous Sections (B-G) the Operational

Medicine, Biomedical Research, Space Biology,

Exobiology, Biospheric Research, and CELSS

Programs, were described and a number of current

and planned new program initiatives needed to

implement the Life Sciences strategies in the nearterm and the mid-/long-term were presented.

Figures 13 and 14 show the scheduled new starts

(Phase C/D) and planned new start decisions, with

their relationships to the science programs, for these

initiatives.

j. [IFESCIENCESEDUCATIONALPROGRAM

The educational program is an important element in

developing Life Sciences activities of the near future.

The Life Sciences Division plans to enhance this

program by incorporating additional and expanded

educational opportunities. This wiUbe accomplished

through the design and implementation of a basic set

of programs that address a spectrum of educational

levels. The key components of the Educational

Program are primary and secondary school

educational packages; university life sciences

curriculum development; and conference and

workshop planning for the scientific community;

and continuation of the following programs:

-- Undergraduate-level Space Life Sciences

Training Program

-- Graduate Student Research Program

-- Disciplinary Research and Intern Programs in

Space Biology and Planetary Biology

-- Post-doctoral level Resident Research Associate

Program

Aerospace Medical Residency Training Program

19
FIGURE 13

LSD SCIENCE PROGRAMS RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM INITIATIONm

NEAR TERM

FISCAL YEAR

'' I 'ge° I ,,1

I

- HMF REQt_REMENT8 I

OPERATIONAL ANOTECHNOLOGY"

MEDICINE I I I

BIOMEDICAL

RESEARCH

SPACE BIOLOGY

EXOBIOLOGY

BIOm=HERIC

RESEARCH

CELSS

1992

LONGITUDINALHEALTH8TUDIE!

ED00

--------- _ UFESAT

_____ZX--._

____ZXs.(o_

_ SETI.MOP

TERRARESEARCH

im'nA11V_'_-

- CEI.S6 BREADBOAROPROJECT

(O_RAT_L)

_J._--A sB(c_CssRJOin

CELSS-Cx_bd Eoa_gkJ Lie Su_o_ Sy_m_

EDCO-E_ DuncanC_w Open_m_

E00-Exwm_d _ _

OGSF-GIIOm_ S_nu_=n Fleily

HMF-4.kmI__ Flci)/

SBl-_ niolow Ini_live

1.S-MCr--1._4W _ Foci_y

. PhaleC_OIrdlalon

• pm ol_,m even w_ p_u0e 1

FIGURE 14

LIFE SCIENCES INITIATIVES BEING PLANNED--MID/LONG TERM

MAJOR FISCALYEAR

PROGRAM

ELEMENTS

OPERATIONAL

MEDICINE

BIOMEDICAL

SPACE

BIOLOGY

EXOBIOLOGY

BIOSPHERIC

RESEARCH

CELSB

lm 1991 1992 lm

MAN RATED GROUND TEST

PROTOTYPE FACILITY

PRE-PHA6EA,PHASEA.'9 Aq_. - PHASEC,/OINITIATION STL_ES

1994 1N8 19118 1997 19_M 1990 2000

I I !

C,REA

,_b PROTOTYPE

ADVANCED _

CEL_ "VAGABONO'r'EDENS"

FACILITIES

I

2O
TheNASASpecfializedCenters of Research (NSCOR) Program, with its associated NASA

professorships and training prog_-ams, will contribute

to the development of a future space life scientists

cadre.

K. EARTH BENEFITS FROM SPACE LIFE

SCIENCES

In addition to the continuing expansion of the

scientific knowledge base, space biomedical research

and the technology developed as a result of this

research find application to health care on Earth,

such as: prevention of cardiovascular, bone and

muscle disease; physiological and mathematical

modeling; telemedicine; therapeutic modalities;

rehabilitative medicine; radiobiology; and

agriculture. Focused activities to _dentify and transfer

such applications to the private sector are

continuously pursued.

III. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

This Section covers the Life Sciences strategic

program implementation, including: an

identification of major programmatic constraints;

programmatic priorities in the near-, mid-, and longterm and budget priorities; NASA infrastructure;

universities; other Federal agencies; international

programs; and, access to flight.

A. MAJOR PROGRAMMATIC

CONSTRAINTS

Major constraints to the successful implementation

of the Life Sciences Program exist in four areas:

• Manpower

• Facilities

• New technologies

• Life sciences data base

Staffing increases, civil service and contractor, will

be required, especially at the Field Centers.

Several ground and flight facilities are critical to the

successful accomplishment of Life Sciences goals

and objectives. In addition to existing facilities or

those currently under development, new fadlities

envisioned are noted in section III.B below.

State-of-the-art technologies for ground

and flight research and operational support must be

developed, such as those critical to the provision of

advanced health maintenance care, minimally

invasive biomedical analytical capabilities, and

biological radiation dosimetry, etc.

Another key element in future program development

is the development and utilization of a national and

international Life Sciences data base. The goal is to

ensure proper experimental protocols and foster

vigorous interpretation and analysis of all available

space-flight and ground-analog data related to the

space life sciences.

B. PROGRAM PRIORITIES AND DECISION

PROCESS

To ensure fulfillment of its roles and responsibilities,

the Life Sciences Division has established the

following programmatic and budgetary guidelines

for executing its programs.

21
From a programmatic standpoint the priorities are

to:

Maintain a research, development, and medical

operations base to support manned missions,

and establish mission requirements and develop

enabling technologies to assure health, safety,

and productivity of humans in space.

Maintain a core research program in basic

biological sciences to create opportunities to

expand fundamental knowledge across the

disciplines.

The Life Sciences Division goals and objectives will

be achieved through the utilization of ground and

flight facilities. While field center and university

laboratories will be used throughout, the flight

facilities to be used are:

Near-Term (1989-1992)

u

m

STS/Spacelabs

Exobiology instruments for specific exploration

missions, such as Cassini

Mid-Term (1992-2000)

-- STS/Spacelabs

-- Space Station Freedom Phase I Facilities

-- Small Reusable Satellites (e.g., LifeSat)

-- Exobiology flight experiments (e.g., Space

Infrared Telescope Facility, Mars Rover/Sample

Return, Cosmic Dust Collection Facility)

-- Biospherics investigations using data from Earth

sciences missions

Long-Term (2000 and Beyond)

Space Station Freedom Phase II, augmented for

use as a test bed for technology development for

human exploration missions

-- Exobiology flight experiments (e.g., Comet

Nucleus Sample Return, Mars missions)

-- Evolutionary Advanced Bioplatforms

From a budget standpoint, the priorities are to:

1. Maintain the core research and development

program for:

a° Near-term approved flight facilities and

experiments (those in design and development, Phases C/D);

b° Research and engineering infrastructure at

the Field Centers; and,

C, Viable university and industrial base. This

base will be supplemented, as resources

permit, by enhanced university participation through the NASA Specialized Centers

of Research (N-SCOR) program, and through

augmented educational programs.

2. Maintaintheappropriateflight facilities through

Phase B.

° Maintain approved ground-based projects (those

in design, development, and operations, Phases

C/D/E).

4. Maintain the necessary advanced planning studies through pre-Phase A and Phase A.

C. NASA INFRASTRUCTURE

Life Sciences Program

The first six program elements (Operational

Medidne, Biomedical Research, Space Biology,

Exobiology, Biospherics, and CELSS) are supported

by several focused science disciplines. The Division

is refining science program plans and building a

data base of its discipline science needs and the

requirements identified by the Life Sciences Strategic

Planning Study Committee. Discipline Working

Groups(DWGs)composed of scientists familiar with

the goals and technology, objectives, and operations

of Life Sciences Program are involved in defining the

science research needs. In addition, DWGs will be

critical linksbetween NASA and theoutside research

community.The Life Sciences Division is planning to

strengthen NASA's in-house science base through

the development of strongintramural research teams.

Each team will have a specific focused objective or

theme of high relevance to NASA and will concentrate

on multidisciplinary long-term research, including

ground and flight activities.

Life Sciences Division Involvement with Program

Offices

The NASA Offices of Space Flight, Space Station,

and Exploration are responsible for the planning

and management of the STS program, Space Station

Freedom program, and future exploration missions,

respectively. The Life Sciences Division has medical

22
operations and life support programmatic

responsibilities in the STS :rod Space Station

programs, in addition to being a major user for life

sciences research. Similarly, the Division is actively

involved in planning for future c_xploration missions

and is responsible for providing life sciences and life

support mission requirements and enabling

technologies. Figures 15, 16, arid 17 depict the Life

Sciences Division responsibiliti_._s and role as a user

on these programs. The,ce programmatic

responsibilities are integrated into Life Sciences'

program planning and implementation.

Advisory System

The Life Sciences advisory in_frastructure is an

extremely important tool for program assessment

and long-range planning; it encompasses both

internal and external committees. The Life Sciences

Program will continue to receive advice from

National Academy of Sciences committees focusing

on life sciences disciplines. 1he NASA internal

advisory infrastructure include:_ two committees--

the Aerospace Medicine Advisory Committee

(AMAC) in the area of clinical and preclinical medical

studies necessary to enable human space fight, and

the Space Science and Applications Advisory

Committee (SSAAC) primarily in the area of nonmedical basic science studies.

D. UNIVERSITIES

The Life Sciences Program is planning for NASA

Specialized Centers of Research (N-SCORs).

N-SCORs are designated universities that possess

the appropriate laboratory facilities and have the

breadth of scientific expertise Io conduct a broad

spectrum of basic and applied research. The NSCOR Program is viewed as critical in expanding

and synergizing extramural Life Sciences research

activities. Up to 10 N-SCORs will be established

during 1990-1994. Integral to this program will be

training programs for life scientists.

E. OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES

Joint activities with other Government agencies are

essential to the continued development of a national

life sciences program base. An In teragency Working

Group (IAWG) in biomedical research will

consolidate and enhance joint efforts between NASA

and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Complementary ground-based research programs

are being developed in the cardiopulmonary,

musculoskeletal, neuroscience, and radiobiology

discipline_ A similar _ative program is planned

with the Department of Defense. Relationships with

other agencies are also being developed. These joint

activities will ensure that ground- based and fight

facilities and the management and scientific

infrastructure are available to support the needs and

interests of other agencies as well as those of NASA

in the utilization of space as a scientific tool.

The Life Sciences Division will coordinate across the

spectrum of organizations interested in space life

sciences research. Specific interests will be integrated

to ensure the development and execution of ground

and flight research programs that meet the needs of

all participants.

F. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM

The Life Sciences Division is continuing to pursue a

vigorous international program involving the major

space agencies of the world, especially in the training

of life scientists, The goal of international cooperation

in the life sciences is to increase theoveraU world wide

science return from space life sciences research. Our

strategy is to shape, with our international partners,

mutual goals and objectives. In so doing, we jointly

minimize duplication of efforts and maximize nonduplication of technology development. To this

end, NASA Life Sciences has established formal

collaborative relationships with:

• Canada (NRCC)

• European Space Agency (ESA)

• France (CNES)

• Federal Republic of Germany (DLR)

• Japan (NASDA)

• U.S.S.R.

In addition, discussions have been held with several

other countries.

Planning for international Joint Working Group

activities on Spacelab and Shuttle is continuing, and

increasing attention is being given to international

space life sciences activities. Life Sciences is

participating with international partners in the

planningand developmentofSpacelab International

Microgravity Laboratory (IML) missions. SL-J is a

Japanese Spacelab mission and the SL-D is a series of

dedicated West German Spacelab missions in which

NASA Life Sciences participates. France, through

CNES, is participating in the development of the

Rhesus Facility, which will be flown on IML missions,

23
FIGURE 15

LIFE SCIENCES DIVISION INVOLVEMENT WITH STS

24
FIGURE 16

LIFE SCIENCES DIVISION INVOLVEMENT WITH SPACE STATION FREEDOM

C_ W

Q

O:: • o • o . • • _ o •

25
LIFE

FIGURE 17

SCIENCES DIVISION INVOLVEMENT WITH PLANNING OF MAJOR NEW

EXPLORATION MISSIONS

26
and both France and Canada are studying modules

for life science experiments to be flown on LifeSat

missions_ Joint missions with the U.S.S.R. on the

Soviet COSMOS biosatellite ___ries will continue

through 1991,and mechanisms for joint experiments

and sharing of data from U.S. and U.S.S.R. manned

missions are being established. In planning for the

utilization of Space Station Freedom for life sciences

research, international partners have committed to

providing complementary infl_ght facilities, and

integration studies are being co_ducted.

G. ACCESS TO FLIGHT

In the near term, a continuing Sl_3/Spacelab series of

missions will be the single most important category

of flight opportunities. It is essential that groundbased life sciences research be accorded continuing

and regular access to flight as a means of collecting

data, validating concepts and procedures,

developing countermeasures, and serving as a

testbed for Space Station Freedom research and

equipment. Life Sciences research will contribute

substantially to the safe operation of the Space Station

Freedom. Validation of hy]x)theses on basic

biological programs in the future will require access

to manned and unmanned scier_ce missions.

A strong program of STS/Spacel_bbased life sciences

research is planned, enhanco:l significantly by

currently planned program initiatives (Extended

Duration Orbiter (EDO), 1.8-Meter Centrifuge

Facility, and SBI). The initial dedicated Life Sciences

mission utilizing Spacelab (SLS-1), to be flown in

1990, will be the first opportunity to collect integra ted

data across a broad range of correlated science

disciplines since the Skylab era. The objective of

SLS-1, an 8-day Space Shuttle mission, is to conduct

interdisciplinary studies of human and animal

biomedical responses in micrc_'avity. Over 20

investigations will be performed on early

physiological responses to weightlessness of the

cardiovascular, bone, metabolic and vestibular

systems. In addition, medical tedmology verification

tests will be conducted on this mission and also on

the joint U.S./Japan Spacelab mlssion (SL-J).

A series of Spacelab missions some capable of

extended duration operations, will be flown during

the 1990% some of these speci fic_ lly in collaboration

with international partners. In addition to a wide

variety of manned and unmanned investigations,

many of these missions will be used for the

development and testing of procedures and

equipment to be used on Space Station Freedom, in

its initial and advanced configuration. Some SBI

facilities will be flown during the SLS-3 mission and

with an integrated facility package on SLS_, along

with the 1.8-Meter Centrifuge. See Figure 18 for Life

Sciences Spacelab schedules.

Flight opportunities in addition to the Shuttle are

necessary for Life Sciences flight research. A freeflying satellite dedicated solely to Life Sciences

research will utilize an expendable launch vehicle

(ELV) and an autonomous return capability. Such

an autonomous system will offer a number of

capabilities unavailable with the Shuttle: a flexible,

independent science-driven launch schedule; mission

durations of 30 daysor more; uniqueorbital altitudes

and higher orbital inclinations, including polar orbits

(of special interest in determining radiation effects);

simplified and standardized hardware design; and

rapid turnaround, with up to two flights per year.

Space Station Freedom has great importance for Life

Sciences, both from the standpoint of basic scientific

research and in enabling extended duration

exploration missions. Use of on-orbit facilities will

initially focus on basic biomedical research to

understand the various mechanisms responsible for

adaptation to weightlessness and the physiological

problems encountered upon return to Earth. To

meet NASA operational objectives, an extended

duration crew certification program extending stay

times to 180 days or longeron Space Station Freedom

will include advanced physiological

countermeasures, to allow for nominal operations of

crews for extended periodsof time. On-orbitartificial

gravity centrifuges will enable controlled small

animal and plant research, as well as the initiation of

variable gravity studies utilizing the unique

capabilities of the space environment.

The capability and flexibility to be provided by this

mixed fleet of flight hardware greatly enhances the

outlook for Life Sciences flight missions in the 1990's.

27
FIGURE 18

LIFE SCIENCES SPACELAB ACTIVITIES

28
IV. ENABLING HUMAN

EXPLORATION MISSIONS

Agency discussions on future exploration missions

will have a direct influence on Life Sciences strategic

and program planning. It will be necessary to ensure

that the life support capabiliti_m needed to fulfill

mission system requirements and that the required

technologies are available to support the mission

development and operations schedules.

Under the ieadershipofNASA'sO_fice of Exploration

(OEXP), a broad range of possibilities for human

exploration are under study and planning. Three

strategies, or alternative pathways, were chosen in

1988 for analysis, including an examination of

candidate "case study" missior_s (see Section VIIB.3):

_o HumanExpeditions, emphasizing a significant,

visible, and successful effort to establish the first

human presence on another b(xiy in the solar

system. The expeditionary pathway would

lead to exploration without the burden and

overhead associated with lasting structures

and facilities. This pathwa) has been explored

for missions to Mars and its moons.

. Science Outpost, emphasizing advancement of

scientific knowledge and gaining operational

experience by building arid maintaining an

extraterrestrial outpost as a permanent

observatory. Theexperience gained would serve

as a foundation for establishing a permanent

human base on another planetary body. This

pathway has been explored for a mission to the

Moon.

o Evolutionary Expansion, sustaining a

methodical, step-by-step program to open the

inner solar system for exploration, space science

research, extra terrestrial resource development,

and, ultimately, permanent human presence.

This strategy would begin with an outpost on

the Moon and progress to similar bases of

operations on Mars and its moons.

Any of the projected new initiatives, if undertaken,

would have significant implementation impacts on

the Life Sciences Division's prc_ams. However,

those involving direct expeditions to Mars would

require an unprecedented buildup of focused Life

Sciences unique capabilities in the areas of human

life support research and technology development,

both on the ground and in space.

The Life Sciences Division iscoordinating with OEXP

and the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology

(OAST) on life sciences and life support mission

needs.

Figure 19 shows life sciences requirements and

technologies which are key elements for the human

exploration scenario missions to Phobos, establishing

a lunar base, and to Mars. STS and Space Station

Freedom will provide the base and test beds where

ground-based research activities conducted by

universities and the NASA Centers will be validated.

Radiation protection is required for all three scenarios.

Artificial gravity as a countermeasure to

physiological deconditioning is required for the longduration missions to Phobos and Mars. An upgraded

Space Station Freedom Health Maintenance Facility

is needed for the lunar base and autonomous medical

care capabilities are required for the Phobos and

Mars missions where no rescue is possible.

Bioregenerative life support systems are needed for

all three scenarios. Improved EVA suits, beyond

those being developed for the Space Station Freedom,

are needed for planetary surface EVA. More complex

countermeasures, such as artificial gravity, might be

needed for Mars or Phobos missions. Better

understanding of and design for crew interaction,

autonomy, command, and control for all three

scenarios will be required. The following is further

discussion of these life sciences issues.

One of the most critical areas to be addressed in the

1990"s is radiation protection. This research is

essential for all exploration scenarios. The Earth's

magnetic field acts as a shield against the radiation

emitted from large solar particle events and from a

large fraction of galactic cosmic rays. Beyond that

magnetic shield radiation received is different in

type, magnitude and biological effect from radiation

sources in low-Earth orbits. Future missions will

involve biological effects of radiation environments

which are not well understood and for which

prediction capabilities are limited. The ability to

predict radiation effects to be encountered is crucial,

as is the determination of how best to provide

protection. To gain a scientific understanding and to

learn how to cope with the potential physiological

effects of radiation, it is necessary to acquire accurate

dosimetry measurements of cosmic and solar

radiation, quantify the biological effects, develop

29
FIGURE19

LIFE SCIENCES STRATEGIES FOR EVOLVING REQUIREMENTS

AND TECHNOLOGIES

i

I

!

30
countermeasures, provideapprcpria_shielding, and

develop warning systems. A baseline ground

research program must be atigmented by flight

experiments, especially in the [_lar orbits to study

the biological effects of HZE particles. Space flights

are of particular importance, since the whole

spectrum of space radiation cannot be generated at

ground-based particle accelerators. The effects of

galactic and solar high energy heavy ions must be

studied and suitable countermeasures developed. A

critical question is the evaluation of the carcinogenic

potential of heavy ions so that the risk of cancer from

theseionscan be fully stated. Further understanding

of the ability of heavy ions to induce cataracts is also

required.

Currently, there is insufficient information to determine to what extent artificial gravity is required for

Phobos and Mars missions. This is a physiological

and technological question of great import as we

move forward into the next century. In the early

1990's, we will be studying the physiological and

technical requirements for such facilities.

The Health Maintenance Facility presently under

development for Space Station Freedom (SSF), with

some upgrades, should suffice for a science outpost

on the moon and the lunar portion of evolutionary

expansion missions. Both scenarios will include a

capability for quick rescue and return to Earth.

However, medical self sufficiency will be necessary

for expeditions to Phobos or Mars or expanded

evolutionary missions, where no rescue is possible.

Adequate life support systems n_ust be developed to

provide and monitor the basic human needs of air,

food, and water on evolutionary expansion missions

to Phobos or Mars.

The currently available technology for life support

systems should be adequate for the initial operations

of SSF. However, the long-term objective should be

to minimize resupply requirements by closure of as

many loops as possible. Continued research and

development of physical-chemical, as well as

bioregenerative systems is necessary to provide the

technology base for exploration and evolutionary

expansion missions. The logistical cost of

atmosphere, food, and water rL_supply makes the

development of an efficient system for reclamation

and recycling an urgent need.

Improved EVA suit capabilities under development

for SSF, which include more dural)le materials, helmet

mounted displays, improved mobility and dexterity,

and higher internal pressures, must be reassessed

and enhanced for exploration and expansion

missions. Project Pathfinder EVA activities are

essential to developing new technologies for such

systems.

Humans exposed to extended duration missions

must be able to function productively and safely,

and adapt rapidly to the new environments to which

they will be exposed. This general area, called

Humans-In-Space, is critical to missions success.

Humans-In-Space includes such areas as crew

selection, training, interaction, as well as the "man

machine" interface. Long-term isolation and

confinement in hostile environments makes such

research critical. Studies with analogs such as

underwater environments and polar bases, along

with both U.S.S.R. and U.S. space experience has

given some insight to the importance of habitability

to performance, productivity, and safety of

operations. This includes both physiological and

psychological aspects of habitability.

Maintaining physiological equilibrium is directly

related to the life support systems, as well as overall

vehicle environmental factors including noise,

lighting, color, and temperature. Psychological wellbeing is related to factors such as isolation, crew

compatibility, and a balance between work and

recreation. The overall objective must be to optimize

performance, productivity, and safety of opera Lions.

A critical concern in this regard is the determination

of appropriate activities for humans versus those

that are better handled by machines, while

minimizing boredom and occupational risks.

In 1987, Project Pacer was proposed to address all

Life Sciences elements needed for future human

exploration missions. The decision was made to

include certain of those elements in the Humans-inSpace component of Project Pathfinder, which is

managed by OAST. Life Sciences was directed to

propose its remaining elements through separate

initiatives. Included in Project Pathfinder are the

requirements definitions for food technology

development to support Controlled Ecological Life

Support System (CELSS), and for human factors,

environmental factors, and extravehicular activity.

Also included is research into human capabilities

and limitations for physical and cognitive activities.

Focus will be maintained upon technologies capable

of accommodating human physiological

requirements and adaptive changes during long31
term confinement, exposure to unnatural gravity,

and unaccustomed risk and stress. Understanding

of needs for artificial gravity and radiation protection

and how best to meet those needsare key components

of Humans-in-Space.

The interlocking relationships among the Space

Shuttle (STS), Space Station Freedom, and the major

human exploration missions under consideration is

illustrated in Figure 20. The Space Station will serve

as the major test bed for advanced missions, whether

those missions are to proceed through a Lunar Base

to a Mars mission or directly to Mars_ From a Life

Sciences and Life Support standpoint, Lunar Base

research will focus on radiation protection, artifidal

gravity, food systems, regenerative life support, crew

interactions, and advanced medical care. These

critical areas of research will be addressed intensively

on Space Station before the lunar and Mars missions.

By the late 1990% extensive flight and ground-based

clinical and biological research experience will have

been accrued utilizing Space Station and the

continuing series of STS, Spacelab, and bioplatform

flight missions. These activities will be planned and

coordinated to ensure that answers are available

when needed to allow appropriate and timely design,

operational and programmatic decisions to be made

enabling the exploration missions of the 21st century.

V. MANAGEMENT

To fulfill the responsibilities and exploit the

opportunities within the NASA Life Sciences

Program there must exist clearly enunciated

objectives and plans, a solid management structure

and process, adequate programmatic and

institutional resources, and internal and external

advice and support. The Life Sciences Division

organization is shown in Figure 21.

The Life Sciences Division will continue to

concentrate upon development of an infrastructure

to facilitate the future program growth envisioned to

support major exploration programs of the 21st

century. The basic structure is in place and will be

enhanced by upgrading Field Center facilities and

capabilities, enriching cooperative programs with

other other Federal agencies, strengthening ties to

the university and industrial communities, and

increasing international collaboration.

NASA Field Centers are the source of expertise for

program definition; research program

implementation; unique ground and flight facility

acquisitions; and, flight mission planning and

operation. Center management is represented on

the Life Sciences Senior Management Council, which

ensures adequate communication and healthy

working relationships.

The following summarizes the significant life sciences

activities and project management conducted at the

major NASA Field Centers:

Ames Research Center-Management for:

SBI (non-human activities elements); 1.8-Meter

Centrifuge; Rhesus Facility; Research Animal

Holding Facility; science modules for LifeSat;

and, COSMOS flights. Research and

development in: biomedical disciplines (with

primary emphasis upon basic sciences); human

factors; planetary environments and artificial

gravity requirements for future human

exploration missions; biospherics; exobiology;

CELSS technology and flight experiments; and,

advanced high pressure EVA suits.

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Exobiology flight

experiments and SETI sky search.

JohnsonSpaceCenter-Projectmanagement for:

OperationalMedidne; Space StationFreedom

HMF and ExerciseCountermeasure Facility;

32
FIGURE 20

INTERLOCKING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE STS,

SPACE STATION FREEDOM, AND MAJOR HUMAN EXPLORATION MISSIONS

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33
FIGURE 21

LIFE SCIENCES DIVISION ORGANIZATION

LIFE SCIENCES

DIVISION

DIRECTOR

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

OPERATIONAL

MEDICINE

MANAGER

SPACE MEDICINE

AND

BIOLOGY BRANCH

BIOLOGICAL

SYSTEMS

RESEARCH

BRANCH

CHIEF

SCIENTIST

FLIGHT

PROGRAMS

BRANCH

EDO; EDCO; SBI (human research elements);

LifeSat spacecraft development; Intact Cosmic

Dust Collection Experiments; and Spacelab Life

Sciences missions. Research and development

in: biomedical research (with primary emphasis

upon clinical and applied sciences and

countermeasures); environmentalhealthsupport

for manned missions and space human factors;

radiation health, environmental monitoring, and

operational life support; advanced high pressure

EVA suit; EVA systems requirements and

training; and lunar CELSS.

Kennedy Space Center--Full range of

occupational and environmental ground support

programs for STS operations. Project

management for CELSS Breadboard. Research

in plant physiology as a component of the Space

Biology Program. Pre-launch and landing

support activities for life sciences flight

experiments.

Marshall Space Flight Center--Research,

development, and project management forSpace

Station Freedom Environmental Control and

Life Support System. Management for IML

missions.

A formal Life Sciences Program Requirements System

hasbeen implemented. A hierachial set of controlling

documentation for science and flight programs is

key in this system and will be used as a principal

management tool in the conduct of the overall LSD

Program and specific programmatic elements.

Special attention will be given to assuring the linkage

of science needs to flight programs, with

requirements traceability and timely management

action as key considerations.

The LifeSciences Division Science Management Plan

is incorporated herein by reference. It describes in

detail the major research program elements, the

relative roles and responsibilities of the Division and

the implementing NASA Centers and their staffs,

and sets forth implementation procedures.

Recently, the OSSA, Life Sciences Division was

assigned responsibility to lead the Agency Science

Working Groups of the Life Sciences/Support

Management Council. This will assure horizontal

integration of research and science objectives,

outlined in this plan, with the life support mission

requirements, technology and man systems

development activities programmed and budgeted

by the other Headquarters program offices.

34
VI. RESOURCES

Included in the space life sciences core program are

those activities which are currently approved and

budgeted. Figure 22 shows the relative distribution

of resources for FY 1989. Figure _"3shows the relative

distribution of resources for the science activities.

Past Life Sciences budgets h_ve been relatively

modest (less than $100 million annual funding). As

the pace of the United States manned space program

increases due to the return-to-flight of the STS and

our move into the Space Station era, both future

opportunities and challenges will require substantial funding increases for Life Sciences. This includes funding for experiment developments currently underway for STS/Spacelab flights and initial

definition of research to be conclucted on the Space

Station Freedom. Long-term human exploration

will require major funding to conduct the required

research and develop necessa_ countermeasures.

This will include research to understand the role of

artificial gravity on plants, anim_tls, and humans for

long periods, as well as the development of a bioregenerative life support system to provide economical sustenance in space. Figures 24, 25, and 26 show

the FY 1989-1990 budgets.

35
FIGURE22

LIFE SCIENCES DIVISION

CORE PROGRAM

FY 1989

Data Analysis

Advanced Technology Development

Program Support

(11.9%)

Flight-Space

Biological

Systems

(13.0%)

Space Medicine

and Biology

(25.4%)

Biological

Systems

Research

(14.4%)

Human Space

Flight and

Systems

Engineering

(35.3%)

36
FIGURE 23

RELATIVE DISTRIBUTION OF SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

(FY 1989)

SPACE MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY BRANCH

8% (1%

12_7 %

5% _%

• Clinic8116qKlicit_

17 l:_diation& Em_mnm_rui Health

D 8_oe Xume.n F_om

[] Geqne_ PmgaBm Support

7%

BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH BRANCH

2.2%

16.9"/,

[] Neuroecm

[] MuiM_ulo_e, leml

[] coi&oe_b_.m¢

ES_r. e_

• Ex,',,",iology

L"qCeL.SS

[] P11neca_/Prowct_on ant

Ad_. ,'reed Programs

20.6'_

FIGURE 24

LIFE SCIENCE:5 PORTION OF PRESIDENTS FY 1990 BUDGET

Research and Analysis

LifoSciences Flight Experiments

-- Human Space Flight and

Systems Engineering

-- Space Biological Systems

TOTAL

FY19_ FY 1990

40.4 53,8

27.6 42.8

10.1 27.6

37
FIGURE 25

LIFE SCIENCES FY 1990

BUDGET INFORMATION

120--

100__

80_

Im 1990

KEY

EDCODefinition

L"_NSCOR_

[_]EDO (R&Aand Flight)

_SBI Definition

EESETI

1.6-MCen_fuge

I_ Spaceiabs/FutureMissions

f'-I Splcetabs(Firm/Con_'-,-t)

[_lBaseline R&A

I

FIGURE 26

LIFE SCIENCES FY 1990

BUDGET INFORMATION

Baseline R&A

Spacelabs (Rrm/Contract)

Spacelab_Future Missions

1.8-M Centrifuge

SETI

SBI Deflrdtlon

EDO (R&A and Right)

SCORs

EDCO Definition

TOTAL

38.2

34.5

.9

1.3

2.2

1.0

"/(T

FY19_

42.2

41.5

4.1

7.2

6.8

9.0

3.0

3.0

T'J_2
VII. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

A. Life Sciences Division Scien.:e Management Plan

B. Other NASA Documents

1. 1989 Long-Range Program Plan

2. OSSA Strategic Plan 1988

o Beyond Earth's Bc.undaries--Human

Exploration of the Solar System in the 21st

Century, OEXP 1988 #canual Report to the

Administrator

4. NASA Leadershipand Amer_'s Futurein Space

(The Ride Report), 1987

C. Pioneering the Space Frontier, National

Commission on Space, 1986

D. Advisory Reports of Particular Significance to

Space Life Sciences

° 1979 - Life Beyond the Earth's Environment:

The Biology of Living Organisms in Space (The

Bricker Report), Space Science Board,

National Research Cou_acil

. 1981 - Origin and Evolution of Life-Implications

for the Planets: A Sciee:tific Strategy for the

1980"s (The Margulis Report), Committee

on Planetary Biology and Chemical

Evolution, National Re,,_arch Council

° 1988 - Earth System Sch'nee: A Closer View

(The Bretherton Report), Earth System

Sciences Committee, NASA Advisory

Council

. 1987 - Space Technology to Meet Future Needs

(The Shea Report), Committee on Advanced

Space Technology, Aeronautics and Space

Engineering Board, Commission on

Engineering and Technical Systems,

National Research Coundl

° 1987- A Strategy for Space Biology and Medical

Science for the 1980"s and 1990"s (The Goidberg

Report), Committee on Space Biology and

Ee

.

,

.

.

Medicine, Space Science Board, Commission

on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and

Resources, National Research Council

1988 - Space Science in the Twenty-First

Century: Imperatives for the Decades 1195 to

2015 Life Sciences (The Swisher/Usher

Report), Task Group on Life Sciences, Space

Science Board, Commission on Physical

Sciences, Mathematics, and Resources,

National Research Coundl

1988- Exploring theLiving Universe: A Strategy

for Space Life Sciences (The Robbins Report),

Life Sciences Strategic Planning Study

Committee, NASA Advisory Council

1986 - Remote Sensing of the Biosphere (The

Botkin Report), Space Science Board,

National Research Council

1986 - Global Change in the Geosphere-Biosphere:

InitiaI Priorities for an IGBP, National Research

Council, National Academy of Sciences.

NASA Management Instructions

1. 8900.3B, Astronaut Medical

2. 1152-59C, Medical Boardsin Support of Crew

Qualification

3. 8900.1B, NSTS Operational Medical

Responsibilities

4. 7100.8B, Protection of Human Research

Subjects

5. No. TBD (14 CFR Part 1232), Animal Use in

Research

Interagency Memoranda of Understanding

1. NASA; USAF--Life Sciences Activities in

Support of Space Transportation System

2. NASA; Defense Nuclear Agency--A

Cooperative Program for the Radiobiological

Protection of Humans in Space

39
°

.

.

NASA-KSC; Local External Medical Care

Deliverers--Emergency Services in Case of

Disaster/Mass Casualty

NASA-ARC; USAF Space Division--USAF

Participation in Development Testing of an

Advanced Technology Space Suit Assembly

NASA; National Institutes of Health---Cooperative Program in Biomedical Research

Go

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

International Bilateral Agreements

NASA; ESA (European Space Agency)

NASA; CNES (France)

NASA; NASDA (Japan)

NASA: CSA (canada)

NASA: DLR Federal Republic of Germany)

USA;USSR (Space BiologyWorking Group)

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