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The Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) enterprise has as its mission "...to open the space frontier by exploring, using, and enabling the development of space and to expand the human experience into the far reaches of space." Ames supports this mission by conducting important research in space, supporting ground facilities, managing spaceflight projects, and developing advanced technologies to help pave the way for an established human presence in space. Critical research is carried out at varying gravity levels on complex and unique biological, chemical, and physical systems that influence human adaptation. Understanding the role gravity plays on living systems is fundamental to achieving many of the goals of NASA's Astrobiology program.
Procedures and technologies to prevent or mitigate the debilitating effects of reduced gravity and the psychological stresses of long-term confinement along with regular and emergency medical care are fundamental prerequisites for future planetary exploration. Providing opportunities for research that promise to benefit life on Earth, whether through knowledge, new technologies, or the excitement that discovery brings, is also vital to Ames' HEDS activities. NASA's overall vision to "boldly expand frontiers in air and space, to inspire and serve America, and to benefit the quality of life on Earth" is achieved at Ames in its support of the following HEDS goals:
- Expand the space frontier
- Expand scientific knowledge
- Enable and establish a permanent and productive human presence in Earth orbit
- Share the experience and discovery of human spaceflight
The articles in this section are presented under five subsections, reflecting each of the HEDS goals presented above and also including the goals of the Astrobiology program. They are astronaut health, fundamental science, improving space travel, technology transfer, and astrobiology support. Several directorates within Ames support the HEDS enterprise and the Astrobiology program. In a similar cross-over manner, many of the efforts described herein address more than one of the stated topics.
One of the earliest alerts to the adverse effects of spaceflight on animals was bone weakening. Since then, numerous studies have been carried out to determine the source, magnitude, time course, and particular regions most affected by unloading. In FY99, researchers at Ames conducted a ground study using a standard animal model to determine if the metatarsal bone of the foot - subject to stress fractures in runners - is as vulnerable to demineralization as the calcaneus bone of the heel. Because previous space research has indicated that bone loss differs throughout the skeleton, and even regionally within a bone, this work continues to aid in the development of countermeasures designed to maintain bone mass in targeted areas.
Research at Ames continues to work toward the improvement of space travel, particularly in developing equipment to operate safely and effectively within the confined, yet unrestrained, environment of microgravity. The design, development, and testing of advanced technologies remains a high priority. Biotelemetry, the capability needed to remotely monitor health and behavior in small mammals and humans in space without impacting either parameter, has been a focal point for technology development for the past few years. In FY98, an implantable pill-shaped biotelemeter that could measure pressure and temperature was developed and tested. This year marked the addition of a pH monitoring capability
to the system, which will greatly enhance its utility for spaceflight research and Earth-based health care.
The assurance of a safe, habitable, environment - one that protects from extreme physical parameters while ensuring a constant source of food, air, and water - is mandatory as we extend human exploration beyond Earth orbit. Because safety of the crew is foremost, technology dedicated to ensuring optimum performance in hazardous or stressful conditions is a priority. Collaborating with Johnson Space Center (JSC), Ames has adapted a Physiological Signal Conditioner that processes biopotential signals such as EEG and ECG to meet the need for human response measurement capabilities.
Safety goes hand-in-hand with habitability. Ames continued its ongoing efforts to develop life-support capabilities for long-duration travel and habitation on other planets. An activated carbon regeneration system to produce nitrogen and carbon dioxide from inedible biomass and a prototype vapor phase ammonia removal process have been demonstrated. These systems take us one step closer to realizing an efficient regenerating life-support environment in space.
It is essential that Ames develop both the engineering technologies that enable such missions and the biomedical technologies to ensure human heath, safety, and productivity in an extremely harsh environment. Habitation - the need for a safe and efficient environment for the crew; biomedical countermeasures - technologies and procedures that maintain the crews' health and performance during and following spaceflight; and medical health care delivery - routine and emergency treatment of the crew throughout their mission are the chief drivers behind each HEDS activity supported at Ames.
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