Studying how these space characteristics affect all forms of life, from single cells to whole organisms, including the human body, is, therefore, an important feature of space life sciences. Space life sciences research is also of vital important for the health and performance of crews that conduct research, live in space for long periods of time, and perform extravehicular walks on other planets. Over the past ten years scientists have focused on these problems and have used the Spacelab on several missions to study these issues. The Neurolab Shuttle mission will further improve our understanding of why astronauts experience space motion sickness when they enter space, and have balance and motor control problems when they return to Earth. This condition could endanger crews if they were required to exit their spacecraft during an emergency.
Astronauts also report sleeping difficulties in space.
Many factors, such as launch and mission work scheduled, loss of normal Earth cues, effects of microgravity on respiration and circadian rhythm, and fatigue could be contributing factors. Neurolab experiments will study some of the factors that affect sleep, and the effects of the space environment on circadian rhythms. Space life science research holds possibilities of clinical application on Earth. Neurolab experiments could provide information that could be of help to people suffering from insomnia, hypotension, and heart problems. It is estimated that at least half of the overall USA population experience a balance or vestibular disorder at sometime during their lives.