Building Partnerships In Support of Space Exploration Judith L. Robinson, Ph.D. Associate Director Space Life Sciences Directorate Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas USA
Background National Vision for Space Exploration
National Vision for Space Exploration THE FUNDAMENTAL GOAL OF THIS VISION IS TO ADVANCE U.S. SCIENTIFIC, SECURITY, AND ECONOMIC INTEREST THROUGH A ROBUST SPACE EXPLORATION PROGRAM Implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program to explore the solar system and beyond Extend human presence across the solar system, starting with a human return to the Moon by the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations; Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both to explore and to support decisions about the destinations for human exploration; and Promote international and commercial participation in exploration to further U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests.
Maintain A Nation of Explorers It s about destiny, not destination Lifts the national spirit The spirit of discovery a part of the fabric of our nation In every field of human endeavor, leaders do what others regard as impossible Pushing the limits of human understanding our origins, life beyond Earth, human survival on other worlds Improves the quality of life on Earth Space exploration delivers enormous benefits advances in medicine, weather forecasting, communications, computers, materials, etc.. Space exploration has led to unprecedented advances in public safety and environmental, economic, and national security The next phase of exploration will have even more of an impact driving breakthroughs in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology Inspires future generations Exploration of the solar system and beyond will be guided by compelling questions of scientific and societal importance Exploration requires the best ideas, talents, and skills of our nation Inspires our youth to challenging pursuits; allowing them to boldly dream Lifts our capabilities as a nation to new heights
Realizing the Future Earth, Moon, Mars, and Beyond Foster and sustain the exploration culture across generations Compelling missions that continually open new frontiers A shared journey, inspiring present and future generations A constant impetus to educate and train the workforce to realize these bold exploration goals Identify, develop, and apply advanced technologies to Travel to distant worlds Enable exploration and discovery Encompass humans and robots in pursuit of compelling destinations Involve the public in the excitement of exploration and discoveries Translate the benefits of these technologies to improve life on Earth Harness the brain power Engage the nation s science and engineering talent Motivate successive generations of students to pursue science, math, engineering and technology Create the tools to facilitate broad national technical participation
Partnerships to Achieve NASA s Next Steps Establishing Robust Partnerships Expand cooperation and collaboration with government agencies academia industry Facilitate innovative opportunities for commercial & academic participation Establish international partnerships to achieve exploration goals Objectives of Partnerships Achieve success re: technological challenges Build spaceships to send robotic and human explorers into deep space Protect astronauts from the hazards of space flight Sustain human life on other worlds Optimize human and robotic partnerships in both engineering and science Design and build safe and efficient power and propulsion Create the right skill mix Attract and train the workforce inspire, engage, and educate a diverse next generation of explorers
Low Earth Orbit Known medical risks Communications Access to Earth Minimum autonomy Moon (Short duration) Mostly known medical risks Communications 2-3 day to access Earth facilities Greater autonomy necessary Moon (Long duration) Many known medical risks, others unknown but anticipated Communication 2-3 day to access Earth facilities Greater autonomy necessary Mars Many medical risks (known, unknown, unanticipated) Communications difficult Probably no access to Earth facilities Autonomous medical care absolutely required
International Space Station
Objectives of ISS Life Sciences Predictions of astronaut health and safety risks Diagnostics of health status Management of medical and behavioral problems Establishment of human physiologic norms for spaceflight Protection of the astronaut from the physical and physiologic effects of space flight Rehabilitation of crewmembers after space flight http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/science/life/biomedical.html Biomedical Research on ISS
Return to the Moon to reduce risks for Mars
At first, just stay for up to 7 days 1969 2017? http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/main/index.html Demonstrate basic capabilities Evaluate life support systems in planetary surface environment Investigate available resources
Then, for up to 6 months at a time Demonstrate candidate habitation capabilities in planetary surface environment Investigate human responses to altered environment (gravity, light/dark) Proximity to Earth for safety
What can we learn on Moon to reduce risks for Mars? Important operational concepts from lunar outpost crew missions: Crew autonomy Crew teleoperation of robotic exploration systems Important systems technologies to be demonstrated on the Moon: Long-lived power generation Next generation propulsion systems Regenerative life support Teleoperated robotic systems EVA systems (suits and roving vehicles) Geoscience and bioscience analytical equipment Medical and telemedicine equipment, dust mitigation and planetary protection equipment ISRU mining and storage/distribution systems
Biomedical Considerations
Space Flight Experience (continuous) Flights longer than 28 days (May 1973 - June 2002) Number of Exposures 109 103 97 91 85 79 73 67 61 55 49 43 37 31 25 19 13 7 Most long-duration flights are 4-64 6 months long Mars missions may last up to 30 months 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Flight Duration (months) 30
Changes in Body Functions in 0g Human Responses to Weightlessness
Cellular Responses to Microgravity 1 G μ G Change in fluid distribution gene expression signal transduction locomotion differentiation
Bone Loss Causes of Bone Loss No load because of low gravity Poor muscle performance Metabolic and hormonal changes Fluid dynamic changes in the bone marrow sinusoids Decreased hydrodynamic shear Loss of hydrostatic pressure gradient Current Countermeasures Resistive Exercise Loading Nutrition Pharmaceuticals e.g. Bisphosphonates 1 G μ G
Muscle Disuse Atrophy Unusual uses of selected muscle groups Most locomotion achieved with the upper body No load No position based use and deployment of muscle activity as in 1G environment Current Countermeasures Exercise, exercise, exercise! Before, during, and after the mission
Crew Recovery Status: Mir & ISS Observed post-landing capabilities of Mir & ISS crewmembers may be predictive for just-arrived Mars crewmembers. 125 days 1 year 162 days
Crew Recovery Status:Skylab 28 days 84 days 59 days
Clinical Needs Medical care systems for prevention, diagnosis or treatment Difficulty of rehabilitation following landing Trauma and acute medical problems Illness and ambulatory health problems Altered pharmacodynamics and adverse drug reaction Expected illnesses and problems Orthopedic and musculoskeletal problems (esp. in hypogravity) Infectious, hematological, and immune-related diseases Dermatological, ophthalmologic, and ENT problems Acute medical emergencies Wounds, lacerations, and burns Toxic exposure and acute anaphylaxis Acute radiation illness Development and treatment of decompression sickness Dental, ophthalmologic, and psychiatric Chronic diseases Radiation-induced problems Responses to dust exposure Presentation or acute manifestation of nascent illness
Autonomous Clinical Care Crew Health Care Facility non-invasive diagnostic capabilities for medical/surgical care smart systems non-invasive imaging systems definitive surgical therapy including robotic surgical assist devices and surgical simulators blood replacement therapy laboratory support Telemedicine preventive health care diagnostic/therapeutic capabilities from ground-based consultants
Human Behavior & Performance Issues: Small group size Multi-cultural composition Extended duration Remote location High autonomy High risk High visibility Research in Behavior and Performance Sleep and circadian rhythm problems Poor psychosocial adaptation Neurobehavioral dysfunction Human-robotic interface
Crew Autonomy on Mars Health care Radiation Protection Medical & Surgical care Nutrition - Food Supply Psychological support Habitat Maintenance & housekeeping Exercise Recreation Privacy
Conclusions
Conclusions The human element is the most complex element of the mission design Mars, Moon and other missions will pose significant physiological and psychological challenges to crew members Human engineering, human robotic/machine interface, and life support issues are critical Issues that may be show-stoppers stoppers (bone loss, radiation), must be addresses. ISS must be used to validate countermeasures before any Go/No Go commitment Partnerships are required to accomplish ground-based and specialized flight research, as well as the development of required technologies to meet exploration objectives