Life In Space: An Introduction To Space Life Sciences And The International Space Station |
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| Authors: | Fong Kevin |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Physiology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK |
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| Abstract: | The impact of the space environment upon living organisms is profound. Its effects range from alterations in sub-cellular
processes to changes in the structure and function of whole organ systems. As the number of astronaut and cosmonaut crews
flown in space has grown, so to has our understanding of the effects of the space environment upon biological systems. There
are many parallels between the physiology of space flight and terrestrial disease processes, and the response of astronaut
crews themselves to long-duration space deployment is therefore of central interest.
In the next 15 years the International Space Station (ISS) will serve as a permanently manned dedicated life and physical
sciences platform for the further investigation of these phenomena. The European Space Agency's Columbus module will hold
the bulk of the ISS life science capability and, in combination with NASA's Human Research Facility (HRF) will accommodate
the rack mounted experimental apparatus. The programme of experimentation will include efforts in fundamental biology, human
physiology, behavioural science and space biomedical research.
In the four decades since Yuri Gagarin first orbited the Earth, space life science has emerged as a field of study in its
own right. The ISS takes us into the next era of human space exploration, and it is hoped that its programme of research will
yield new insights, novel therapeutic interventions, and improved biotechnology for terrestrial application.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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| Keywords: | Astronautic human space flight International Space Station microgravity space life science space medicine |
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